Clive Dunn in a scene from Operation Kilt.
Video: Leave your tributes to Dad’s Army star Clive Dunn
Thursday, November 8, 2012
11:03 AM
Tributes are being paid to Dad’s Army star Clive Dunn who has died aged 92 after a short illness.
TV comedy stars from Dad's Army, Hi Di Hi, You Rang M'Lord at Bressingham Steam Museum.
Clive Dunn (L) signing autographs.
Photo: Angela SharpeThe actor, who played L/Cpl Jack Jones in the hit sitcom, is believed to have been ill for a few weeks and died in Portugal, where he lived.
Much of the BBC series was filmed around Thetford and Stuart Wright, chairman of the Dad’s Army museum in the town, last saw the star in London in March.
“His sight was fading towards the end, but he was in very good spirits and was very coherent,” he said.
The actor returned to Thetford in 2000 when members of the cast held a parade through the town on the original fire engine from the series.
Mr Wright said the star’s lasting legacy would be his catchphrases, which have become part of every day speech.
“His use of those phrases are part of the British psyche,” Mr Wright said.
“He was also one of the younger members of the cast so he tended to get a lot more of the stunts.”
The museum now hopes to put on a special display in memory of Mr Dunn.
Before his death, the volunteers were raising money to buy Corporal Jones’s famous butcher’s van, which is being auctioned in December.
The actor’s agent, Peter Charlesworth, said the star would be “sorely missed”.
He said: “He will be a real loss to the acting profession.’’
Dunn was born in London into a showbusiness family and started out with a number of small film roles in the 1930s before the war intervened.
He served in Greece before being captured and spent four years as a prisoner of war.
After the war he resumed his career and in 1968 landed the role of Corporal Jones in the much-loved sitcom about life on the home front.
The character, a first world war veteran, was notorious for his often rambling recollections of his time in the army.
Dunn also had a number one hit in 1970 with Grandad and went on to play the title character in a children’s show of the same name.
Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in the show, said Dunn was a good friend.
He said: “Out of all of us he had the most time for the fans. Everyone at one time or another would be tempted to duck into a doorway or bury their head in a paper but not Clive. He always made time for fans.’’
He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Morgan, and two daughters, Jessica and Polly.
•EDP readers also paid their tributes.
John Ward-Gwilliam said: “A man who will be missed by everybody young and old. His acting in Dad’s Army even makes my 12-year-old son laugh. A man so talented that cannot be replaced. A comedian from the era of all the greats and now all reunited in heaven. God bless you Clive for all the years of making me and my family laugh.”
Rebecca Andrews said: “I was very sad when I read that Clive Dunn had died. He was a great actor and shall be sadly missed. My prayer go to his family at this sad time.”
•Leave your tributes below.
Other News Articles
- Firefighters battle blaze in barn containing chemicals at Rockland St Peter
- Green Party offer to break Norfolk County Council deadlock by changing decision-making system rejected by Conservatives
- Photo gallery: Thousands pull together to fight cancer at Race for Life
- Norfolk turkey giant Bernard Matthews in talks to sell stake in business
- Man makes history by completing charity rowing challenge in Wells
- Picture gallery: Wild About the Wensum at Pensthorpe Wildlife and Gardens
- Runners battle through the heat in the North Norfolk Marathon, Half-marathon and Mini-Marathon
- Driver rescued after Ford Focus crashes into Norfolk river
- UKIP target Great Yarmouth in general election
- Families going green at Salhouse Broad’s Broads festival finale
- Medal winning cyclist launches charity ride for Norfolk hospital appeal
- Photo gallery: Sunshine spectacular at Sheringham for day two of Crab and Lobster Festival
- Police search for missing man in Norwich
- National Trust’s new regional director hopes to preserve the East’s treasured heritage
- Emotional fundraiser is in memory of popular Sprowston footballer
Most Read News Stories See all
Facebook appeal for blackspot action after man killed on A47 at Scarning, near Dereham
Nearly 3,000 people have supported a Facebook campaign demanding safety improvements on the A47 near Dereham set up after the latest fatal crash.
- Name of man who died at Castle Mall shopping centre in Norwich is confirmed
- The Force steps in: Sci-fi fans turn to the dark side in clash at Norwich Star Wars convention
- Four seriously injured after crash in Norwich
- Tributes left to man who died at Castle Mall in Norwich
- Letter in full: Ofsted express “considerable concern” following inspection of 28 Norfolk schools
ADVERTISEMENT
12 comments
Great memories of him in the children's tv series Grandad and in dads army. Always made me laugh. RIP, never forgotten.
Report this comment
Urbancommander
Thursday, November 8, 2012
R.I.P. Clive (Jonesy) Dunn. I had the privilege of meeting him once - and what a gentleman ( he even bought me a drink - even though we were on a time schedule, and running late!) Pity there aren't more like him today - fond memories - you'll be missed, especially by my generation.
Report this comment
biglingers
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Me and my dear old mum always watch Dad's Army when it is on and Clive Dunn has always been our favourite. His hit single Grandad was also a triumph. He will be missed. RIP. Regards, Whiley.
Report this comment
Whiley Boy
Thursday, November 8, 2012
" They don't like it up 'em ". I think you will find he was referring to Mrs Fox.
Report this comment
LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Thursday, November 8, 2012
I confess I missed that bit but I'm enjoying the repeats of the radio version on 4 extra - it doesn't age.
Report this comment
Thoreauwasright
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thoreauwasright, SILENCE!! I will not have speaking in the ranks!!!..."the Boche sir, they fear the cold steel!!! they don't like it up em." simples..but true
Report this comment
nrg
Thursday, November 8, 2012
I thought "They don't like it up 'em" was historical and referred to the 'Fuzzy Wuzzies' - Brilliant actor - don't panic!
Report this comment
Thoreauwasright
Thursday, November 8, 2012
A fantastic actor indeed. Let's just hope that now he is dead, his reputation doesn't get sullied by the current round of compensation seekers who are claiming abuse from all and sundry. RIP Clive x
Report this comment
IT Man
Thursday, November 8, 2012
NRG=Norton:** "such harmless and funny profiling of the German nation wouldn't be tolerated by the beeb. " **. Trust you to miss the point. It wasn't about the Germans at all....it was an affectionate send up of the British people . Fraser ( mean Scot ) , Wilson ( posh superior ) , Mannering ( frustrated little man who dreams of greater things and more respect ) are British stereotypes. Germans hardly featured.
Report this comment
LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thank goodness the show Dads Army is still being shown and is as popular as ever.A great living memory of Clive Dunn and the rest of the cast . A timeless piece of classic comedy. Miss them all.
Report this comment
norman hall
Thursday, November 8, 2012
They don't like it up 'em"!!!! In today's politically correct tv, such harmless and funny profiling of the German nation wouldn't be tolerated by the beeb.
Report this comment
nrg
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
As we always really knew, old soldiers sadly do eventually die. The role of the bumbling Jones in Dads Army was a wonderful foil to the bumptious Mainwaring and the laissez faire Wilson. Overall the quality of acting in the series was of the highest order. But try and imagine it without Clive Dunn. You cannot.
Report this comment
Richard Slipper
Wednesday, November 7, 2012