Dad’s Army first hit screens back in July 1968 when BBC viewers were introduced to a group of soldiers who prepared to fight off Nazi invaders. The series, set during the Second World War, followed the antics of the Walmington-on-Sea Guard. With its British humour and nostalgia, it became an instant classic.
The show aired until 1977, and creators David Croft and Jimmy Perry presented viewers with unforgettable characters like the kind-hearted medic Private Godfrey, market dealer Private Walker, and bumbling Private Pike. But what happened to the iconic cast members? The Mirror delves deeper into the lives of the seven stars who made up Dad’s Army.
Arthur Lowe portrayed the leader, which was the star’s most notable role during his career. However, he was not the first choice for the gig, as Thorley Walters and Leonard Rossiter turned it down, and Jon Pertwee was also considered.
Arthur, from Derbyshire, began acting professionally in 1945 after serving for his country in the Second World War. He secured various roles in London theatre productions in the years after the war before landing his first television role in 1951, in an episode of the BBC series I Made News.
The actor worked in television every year thereafter until his death on April 15, 1982, at the age of 66. He also starred in the ITV soap Coronation Street as preacher Leonard Swindley, among other roles, before joining Dad’s Army.
According to reports, some Dad’s Army colleagues later remarked that Arthur’s role resembled him as the character was bumbling and pompous. When playing Captain Mainwaring, the actor allegedly refused to take his script home to learn his lines as he wouldn’t have “such damn rubbish” in his house. After an incredible career, Arthur sadly died in Birmingham in his dressing room at the Alexandra Theatre after suffering a stroke. It was just before he was due on stage with his wife, Joan.
Actor Ian Lavender portrayed Private Frank Pike in the show – and he was the youngest soldier in Dad’s Army. He was renowned for his rebellious scarf and naivety – making him a favourite amongst BBC fans.
He previously told The Guardian of his iconic role: “I was a complete beginner, and I suddenly joined what was probably Britain’s most experienced team of character actors. I was in a state of shock, suddenly finding myself among so many great actors. When the moment came for me to speak, that funny voice of Pike just came out in a moment of panic.”
After the show ended, he went on to star in the BBC soap EastEnders from 2001 to 2005 as Derek Harkinson before returning in 2016 for a year. His career didn’t stop there as he also appeared in Doctors, The Hello Goodbye Man, Come Back Mrs North and Casualty.
The Brummy star died last February in Woolpit, Suffolk, just two weeks before turning 78. He’d been through many health issues in his life, including bladder cancer, a heart attack and sepsis.
John Le Mesurier played Platoon Sergeant Arthur Wilson on the show, with the character serving under Mainwaring. Known for being a laid-back and charming officer, John—although known for his theatre work—starred in shows like Bognor, Bod, and Comedy Playhouse.
During his illustrious career, he appeared in more than 100 films, including Brothers in Law, I’m All Right Jack and Private’s Progress. Tragically, six years after Dad’s Army ended, he died from a stomach haemorrhage triggered by liver cirrhosis. He was 71 years old.
He wrote his own death notice in The Times, which read: “John le Mesurier wishes it to be known that he conked out on November 15. He sadly misses family and friends.” Before he fell into a coma, his final words were reported to have been: “It’s all been rather lovely.”
Lance Corporal Jack Jones was brought to life by Clive Dunn, whose memorable catchphrases like “Don’t panic!”, “Permission to speak, sir?”, and “They don’t like it, up ’em!” kept audiences in stitches. After the show ended, Clive appeared in Grandad, My Old Man, Noel’s House Party, and Much Ado About Nothing.
He told the BBC: “The location filming was great fun. I always say that my favourite episode was The Royal Train because we did have a lot of fun doing the location filming for that. I don’t think they were into health and safety quite as much as these days. We were on that pump trolley going up and down the line pursuing the train – then the train pursued us.”
The actor often played characters far older than his real age during his career. His Dad’s Army character, for example, was supposed to be in his 70s, but Clive was 48 when the show began in 1968. Sadly, the actor passed away at 92 in 2012 following complications from surgery he underwent the week before.
Private Charles Godfrey was portrayed by Arnold Ridley, who passed away in 1984 due to injuries sustained from a fall. Arnold wasn’t just an actor; he was also a seasoned writer and a veteran of the First World War. Plus, he’s the great-uncle of Star Wars sensation Daisy Ridley.
Hailing from Scotland, John Laurie was best known for his role as Private James Fazer with the iconic on-screen catchphrase: “We’re doomed, doomed!” He also made appearances on The Morecambe & Wise Show, Jackanory, and starred in the film The Prisoner of Zenda. He retired from acting in 1979 and passed away a year later at the age of 83.
James Beck played Private Joe Walker on Dad’s Army but tragically died while the series was still being broadcast. At only 44 years old, he succumbed to pancreatitis in 1973, resulting in his character’s departure from the hit show. Beck had previously been seen in Romany Jones, A Christmas Night with the Stars, and Scoop.
Miss Janet, portrayed by Caroline Dowdeswell, was the clerk at Swallow Bank working alongside Mainwaring, Wilson, and Pike in the first series of Dad’s Army. Caroline retired from acting in 1978 and now aged 80, she has a career in the publishing industry.
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