Frank Thornton, Capt. Peacock of 'Are You Being Served,' dead at 92

Frank Thornton, who played the surly Capt. Stephen Peacock in charge of the clothing department at Grace Brothers on the ribald British comedy series “Are You Being Served,” has died at age 92, the BBC reported on Monday.

Thornton had a long career as an actor, dating back to the 1950s. His TV career included various roles on “Steptoe and Son” with Wilfred Brambell, who played Paul McCartney's grandfather in “A Hard Day's Night” and single roles on “Danger Man” starring Patrick McGoohan, which later was known in the U.S. as “Secret Agent,” “The Avengers,” “Benny Hill” and “Coronation Street.” More recently, he played Truly in “Last of the Summer Wine” in 2010.

But he was best known as Captain Peacock on “Are You Being Served,” which he played on the original series 1972-1985, and the revival, “Are You Being Served Again?,” from 1992-1993. Thornton's death leaves only Nicholas Smith, as Mr. Rumbold, as the only surviving main character from the series. The entire series is on DVD.

The BBC quoted Jeremy Lloyd, co-creator of “Are You Being Served,” as commenting, “"He was a great friend and consummate performer who was the glue who really held Are You Being Served? Together. He will continue to give people enjoyment."

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