Dad’s Army favourite Ian Lavender dead at 77

The last surviving member of the iconic Dad’s Army cast, Ian Lavender, has died at the age of 77.

Ian Lavender, the last remaining member of the Dad's Army cast, has died at 77. Picture: Supplied

Dad’s Army actor Ian Lavender, who played “Stupid Boy” Private Frank Pike in the hit show, has died at the age of 77.

Announcing his death on Monday local time, a Dad’s Army spokesman said Lavender’s death “truly marks the end of an era”.

“His wonderful performance as Private Frank Pike will live on for decades to come,” the statement, which was posted to social media, said.

Ian Lavender, the last remaining member of the Dad's Army cast, has died at 77. Picture: Supplied

“He leaves behind a legacy of laughter enjoyed by millions. We will dedicate this year’s tour to his memory.

“Our thoughts and love are with Ian’s wonderful wife Miki, their family and close friends.”

Lavender, best known as the young Private Pike, was cast in the classic comedy series at the age of 22 in 1968.

The cast of Dad's Army. Picture: Supplied

“In what truly marks the end of an era, Ian was the last surviving member of the Dad’s Army main cast.

“His wonderful performance as Private Frank Pike will live on for decades to come. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter enjoyed by millions.”

It is understood Lavender, who was born in Birmingham, died on Friday.

He was just 22 when cast as Private Pike, a junior bank clerk frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as “stupid boy”.

Pike was famous for being made to wear a scarf by his mother “to protect him from the croup”.

In the Dad’s Army episode The Deadly Attachment, Lavender’s character was a key part of one of the most famous moments in British TV comedy, after Captain Mainwaring urges his young charge not to give his name to a German officer with the unforgettable line: “Don’t tell him, Pike!”

The BBC comedy ran from 1968-77 and was wildly popular in Australia.

Although once described by The Times as a “masterpiece”, Dad’s Army took four years to take off. The first reviews dismissed it and the series was almost ended three or four times, reports The Sun.

But it won the hearts of millions of viewers and the BBC called it one of their biggest comedy successes. It became so popular it was turned into a West End stage show and film.

Lavender once said the role of the bungling Pike won him legions of female admirers.

“I get letters from schoolgirls and middle-aged ladies who want to mother me. I miss out on ladies my own age,” he joked once.

Ian Lavender played Private Frank Pike in Dad’s Army. Picture: Supplied

Ian Lavender, the last remaining member of the Dad's Army cast, has died at 77. Picture: Supplied

Lavender went on to appear in popular British series as Derek Harkinson in Eastenders, which he played for four years in the 2000s, and reappeared in a cameo role in the 2016 film version of Dad’s Army as Brigadier Pritchard, which starred Toby Jones and Bill Nighy.

The cast of Dad’s Army. Picture: Supplied

He previously said the luckiest day of his life was being plucked to play in Dad’s Army earning £9 ($AUD 18) a week during a six-month stint at Canterbury Rep when someone came up to him and said he looked stupid enough to do Pike.

“I was in a state of shock finding myself suddenly 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,” he said.

Ian Lavender later joined the cast of Eastenders. Picture: Supplied

Although once dubbed a “masterpiece”, Dad’s Army took four years to take off. The first reviews dismissed it and the series was almost canned three or four times.

But it won over 12 million viewers and the BBC called it one of their biggest comedy successes. It became so popular it was turned into a London West End stage show and film.

He sometimes said he had been type cast as a comic actor, but had no regrets about playing Pike.

“I just like making people laugh,” said Lavender, who trained at Bristol Old Vic and did his share of Shakespeare, including The Merchant of Venice, starring Dustin Hoffman.

The actor, who was born in Birmingham in 1946, was married twice. His first wife was actress Suzanne Kerchiss to whom he was married for nine years. They shared two sons Dan and Sam.

He later married American-born Miki Hardy with whom he has two children.

Lavender, who trained at Bristol Old Vic and did his share of Shakespeare, including The Merchant of Venice, starring Dustin Hoffman, said “I just like making people laugh.”

Originally published as Dad’s Army favourite Ian Lavender dead at 77