The British comic actor Gorden Kaye, best known for the role of café owner René Artois in the long-running sitcom ’Allo ’Allo! (1982-92), has died at the age of 75.
Set in German-occupied France during the Second World War, ’Allo ’Allo! first emerged as a parody of an earlier series, the wartime drama Secret Army (1977-79). Becoming a fixture of BBC1’s schedules for more than a decade, ’Allo ’Allo! featured Kaye in all 85 episodes, playing the philandering proprietor of the Café René, which is used as a headquarters by the local resistance. Known for its innuendo, stereotypes, catchphrases (“Good moaning!”) and repeated gags, it also became a stage show from 1986 onwards, which toured internationally with Kaye reprising his role.
Kaye first came to prominence with a role in Coronation Street in the early 1970s, playing Elsie Tanner’s nephew, Bernard Butler. He also appeared in the series It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Come Back Mrs Noah and Are You Being Served? He later had a small role in Terry Gilliam’s Brazil (1985).
He died on 23 January 2017.
