The actor and comedian Brian Murphy, who was born here on the Isle of Wight, has sadly died aged 92.
Murphy was best known as the henpecked husband George Roper in the popular sitcom ‘Man About the House’ and its spin-off series, ‘George and Mildred’. He also starred as Alvin Smedley in ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.
His other notable roles include Stan the shopkeeper in the 1990s children’s series ‘Wizadora’ and Maurice in all 3 episodes of the ITV comedy-drama ‘The Booze Cruise’. Other acting credits include The Bill (as a drunken tramp dressed as an elf at Christmas), One Foot in the Grave (Mr Foskett), Brookside, Holby City and Casualty. He has also appeared in comedy shows The Catherine Tate Show, This is Jinsy and Benidorm.
Brian Trevor John Murphy was born on 25th September 1932 in Ventnor. He has always been proud of his Isle of Wight roots. He was the son of grocer’s assistant Gerald Murphy and his wife Mabel, both of whom later became restaurateurs. Brian’s 2 brothers – Ken and Eric – died during active service in the Second World War.
Murphy’s fondest memories of his Ventnor childhood were going to see top-class professional repertory at the Town Hall Theatre and steam trains. During his childhood, there were 2 stations in his home town.
The actor was called up to do his national service at RAF Northholt. There, he met future The Good Life actor Richard Briers. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Brian appeared in some well-known television shows including The Avengers, Z-Cars, Callan, and Dixon of Dock Green. 
In 1973, Murphy was cast in the role which would make him a household name. In Man About the House, he played the role of lazy George Roper. His wife, Mildred, was played by Yootha Joyce. Her domineering, social-climbing character was a sharp contrast to that of George, who desired no more than an easy and quiet life.
The pairing was an instant hit. The series topped the viewing charts for many weeks. Many believed that George and Mildred were actually married in real life. Both of them were virtually mobbed in public and could not go safely into pubs.
When Man About The House came to an end in 1976, a spin-off series was created for Murphy and Joyce, called George and Mildred. This ran for 5 series until 1979. Yootha Joyce sadly died in 1980, resulting in the planned final series of George and Mildred being cancelled. She was at the peak of her career.
Brian appeared in further sitcoms. In 1981, he was given the title role in The Incredible Mr Tanner. He then moved to the BBC in 1982 for the driving school sitcom L For Lester. Neither series attained the same popularity as George and Mildred.
In 1995, Brian married his second wife, Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan. The couple settled in Bromley in Kent, where he died on Sunday morning (2nd February).
In 2003, Murphy’s career revived with the role of Alvin Smedley in Last of the Summer Wine.
Brian Murphy, described as a ‘joyful and profoundly good-hearted man’, leaves behind 2 adult children – Trevor and Kevin – from his first marriage to Carol Gibson.
Very sad news, another TV legend sadly gone
but never forgotten.
R.I.P Brian and thank you for all the memories
you have left us.
It would be a nice gesture if the town where you
were born would erect a statue in your memory, just like
Morecambe did for Eric Morecambe.