IT’S BYE-DE-BYE TO DAD’S ARMY GENIUS
Writer Jimmy dies
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DAD’S Army creator Jimmy Perry died last night after a short illness.
Perry, who also penned It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and Hi-de-Hi!, was 93.
He drew on his own life experiences for his scripts, including serving in the Home Guard in the Second World War and as a Butlin’s holiday camp Redcoat.
He wrote many of his hit shows with David Croft, who died in 2011. The pair wrote together for 25 years and in 2003 were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards.
As tributes poured in, comedian Jack Dee wrote: “RIP Jimmy Perry. Amazing contribution to British telly.
“Watched Dad’s Army only yesterday. Still as funny as when I watched it as a kid.”
Shane Allen, BBC controller of comedy commissioning, said: “Jimmy Perry is a Goliath of British comedy writing.
“His work will be enjoyed and appreciated for many years to come.”