RINGING OFF

Dad’s Army vicar Frank Williams dies aged 90 after short illness

BY Showbiz Editor

A DEEPLY religious man himself, Frank Williams took on the role of Dad’s Army vicar Timothy Farthing expecting it to last for one episode.

The actor went on to appear in 39 episodes of the BBC war comedy, the original film, stage show and 14 radio episodes. He admitted last year: “The character became a regular. It was the happiest period of my professional life.”

Friends confirmed to the Mirror that Frank died at the age of 90 on Saturday night, following a short illness.

A statement shared on Facebook said: “We are grateful for all the years of joy, laughter and happiness he brought to so many. Thank you Frank!”

Actor Jeffrey Holland, who played

Spike in 1980s BBC comedy Hi-de-hi!, said: “So sorry to hear Frank has left us. A dear friend. I’ll never forget the happy days spent working together.” The Gold TV channel, which still shows Dad’s Army, said it was “saddened”.

London-born Williams fell in love with acting during his school play and later became assistant stage manager at a theatre. He took on small roles in films, including an archer in 1952’s Ivanhoe, starring Elizabeth Taylor. He met Dad’s Army writer Jimmy Perry when he was cast in the play Honeymoon Beds at the Watford Palace. Perry spotted the actor and writer’s potential and agreed to produce one of his plays.

In 1957 Frank was cast as a psychiatrist in ITV comedy The Army Game. But he was saved from obscurity in 1969 when he was asked to appear in the third series of Dad’s Army. Frank joined the surviving cast for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday parade in 2000 as Dad’s Army was her favourite show. In 2002, he published his auto-biography, Vicar to Dad’s Army.

He returned to the role of Rev Farthing for the 2016 Dad’s Army film.

An Anglican churchgoer, Frank was a representative of the diocese of London in the General Synod, speaking up for better treatment of gay people.

The only surviving main actor from Dad’s Army is now 76-yearold Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike.

The character became a regular, it was the happiest period of my acting career FRANK WILLIAMS ON PLAYING REVEREND TIMOTHY FARTHING

BREAKTHROUGH Frank, with Dad’s Army cast, starred in BBC comedy from 1969 to 1977 CLASSIC Frank Williams, right, as Rev Farthing, with Edwin Sinclair, left, as verger Maurice Yeatman and Bill Pertwee as Warden Hodges AT HOME Frank reprised Dad’s Army role on radio, in film and for Queen Mum