Star of To The Manor Born and so many comedies

Peter Bowles, the character actor best known for playing the roguish Richard DeVere in To The Manor Born, has died at the age of 85.

His agent, Gavin Barker Associates, confirmed he had ‘sadly passed away from cancer’.

Trained at  the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Bowles’  early career in television consisted mostly of playing villains in such shows as The Avengers Danger Man, The Saint, and The Prisoner.

His first sitcom role came in an episode of Rising Damp, which opened the door to a new career in comedy, which also included Only When I Laugh, The Bounder, and Executive Stress followed; however, he turned down the role of Jerry in The Good Life, which went instead to Paul Eddington.

Later guest roles included appearances in  Brian Pern and Citizen Khan.  His last TV role was s played the recurring role of the Duke of Wellington in the award-winning ITV series Victoria from 2016 to 2019 and he played a vicar in last year’s movie  comedy-drama Off the Rails, which was also the final film appearance of Kelly Preston.

Among those paying tribute today were broadcaster Matthew Sweet, who said: ‘Dashingly handsome, yes. One of the great moustaches, yes. But I think Peter Bowles's perfection lay in the music of that voice. There was a little fastidious flutter in it, like the adjustment of a tie or something coming into land from a great height.’

Comedy writer and performer Alice Lowe said: ‘Oh no. I adored Peter Bowles. rom a childhood crush in to The Manor Born, to surprise discovery of his earlier work and versatility’

In breaking the news, his agent said: ‘Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions ending at the age of 81 in The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre.

‘He worked consistently on stage and screen, becoming a household name on TV as the archetypal English gent in To The Manor Born, Only When I Laugh, The Bounder and Lytton's Diary, which he devised himself.

‘He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.’

Published: 17 Mar 2022