Arthur English
(1919-1995), ActorSitter in 1 portrait
Comedian and comic. Best known for his portrayal in the 1950s as the Tosh, the Spiv, prince of the Wide-Boys, wearing a four-foot long colourful kipper tie and delivering a train of cockney patter. Began with work on radio in shows such as Variety Band-box and Workers' Playtime. In the 1970s reinvented himself as a comic actor as the caretaker, Mr Harman, in Are You Being Served? Also memorably starred in children's series Follyfoot (1971) and in the comedy In Sickness and In Health (1985). In 1987 he joined fellow veteran actor Charlie Chester in comedy series Never Say Die.
by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
half-plate film negative, 1954
NPG x125745
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