John Clegg dead: Beloved BBC star who appeared in Dad’s Army and It Ain’t Half Hot Mum dies aged 90 as tributes pour in
JOHN Clegg has passed away aged 90 as tributes poured in for the beloved star.
The actor was best known for playing Gunner ‘Paderewski’ Graham in the BBC sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum across 56 episodes.
He also appeared in episodes of Dad’s Army and Mr. Bean as well as romantic comedy film Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Clegg starred in 90s TV series You Rang, M’Lord? and as Clifford Howes in Crossroads: Kings Oak.
The veteran’s most recent roles were in TV film Death in Holy Orders and the 2006 short Tommy the Kid.
He was married to fellow sitcom star Mavis Pugh until her death in 2006.
An announcement said he “died peacefully in care” and “will be missed by all his friends from the theatre, his friends in Chichester and his family.”
A private funeral will be held on August 29 in West Sussex.
BAFTA member Morris Bright MBE paid tribute to Clegg on Tuesday.
He said: “We is very sorry indeed to hear that La Di Da Gunner Graham, actor John Clegg, has gone to that great concert party in the sky, aged 90.
“He certainly was one of the boys who entertained us.”
The British Comedy Society posted on X: “We’re saddened to learn of the death of actor John Clegg, best known as It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’s Padrewski, Gunner Graham. He was 90.”
Tributes from fans have also poured in.
One wrote: “RIP to lah-do-dah Gunner Graham, the actor John Clegg.
“A good innings from an actor who was always a strong and stable presence on screen. #ItAintHalfHotMum”
Another said: “Desperately saddened to read that actor John Clegg, probably best known as La Di Da Gunner Graham from It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, has died aged 90.
“A life well lived and a joyous presence on our screens. #rip”