Vale: Gorden Kaye

UK character actor Gorden Kaye, best known for ‘Allo ‘Allo, has died aged 75.

He died in a care home, according to reports.

Kaye played cafe owner René Artois in the UK sitcom from 1982 to 1992, getting dragged into the French resistance and having numerous affairs with his waiting staff.

He also played the role more than 1000 times on stage, but was replaced on the Australian tour by Max Gillies due to a 1990 accident when a plank smashed through his windscreen and knocked him unconscious.

His other TV credits included Coronation Street, Champion House, Till Death Us Do Part, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Are You Being Served?, Come Back Mrs Noah, All Creatures Great and Small, and Shoestring.

Vicki Michelle, who co-starred as Yvette Carte-Blanche, said, “So sad to hear news of Gorden Kaye. A brilliantly talented actor, consummate professional, loved the world over,” she said. “There’ll never be another René.”

Shane Allen, the controller of BBC comedy commissioning, said Kaye was a “terrific comic actor whose signature role, René Artois, earned his place in the comedy hall of fame”, adding: “He was instrumental in making ‘Allo ‘Allo! such a long-running and well-loved series.”

Source: The Guardian