INMAN’S PLACE IS CERTAINLY NOT FREE
With his camp style, risqué jokes and catchphrase “I’m free” John Inman became one of TV’s most popular actors playing shop assistant Mr Humphries in the 1970s and 1980s sitcom Are You Being Served?
The Lancashire-born actor was suited to the role. Inman had been interested in dress making as a child and before becoming an actor had worked for men’s outfitters Austin Reed.
Prior to Are You Being Served? he had enjoyed a successful career in London’s West End, going on to appear in several high-profile productions and later TV shows.
Are You Being Served?, which followed a group of floor staff working in an old-fashioned department store, first appeared in 1972 and was soon attracting audiences of up to 20 million, making Inman a household name.
His success brought him considerable wealth and Inman lived in a luxurious house in London’s Little Venice neighbourhood for more than 30 years with his civil partner Ron Lynch. Inman died in 2007 leaving his multi-million-pound fortune and house to Lynch, who has now also passed away.
Their former home, which is a three-bedroom townhouse in a gated road near the Regent’s Canal with a Blue Plaque commemorating the actor outside, has two reception rooms and a garage, is for sale with agent Sandfords (020 7723 9988) for £2.3 million.