Are You Being Served? star Mike Berry dies aged 82
The actor and singer, known for hits including Tribute to Buddy Holly and The Sunshine of Your Smile, performed his last show in February.
Berry's manager and friend Peter Stockton shared the news of his death on Friday, saying in a Facebook post that 'the legendary Mike Berry died peacefully this morning, his family members by his bedside'.
He paid tribute to the 'highly talented performer whose career spanned 64 years'.
Berry found fame as Mr Spooner in Are You Being Served? and had his first hit as a singer in 1961. He also featured in the children's TV series Worzel Gummidge in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Stockton revealed that Berry's final show was held at The Half Moon pub and venue in London in late February, saying: 'It was a sell out, and was testimony to his superb talent.'
Stockton added that Berry 'was also a gifted actor, highlighted by his performances in the iconic comedy Are You Being Served?
'A tragic loss to our world of music, and I hope that he is now having a laugh with many of his old pals up in Heaven.'
Berry was originally best known for his hits as a musician before becoming an actor. He never planned to have an acting career until he was cast in Worzel Gummidge in 1979.
Two years later, he joined the cast of Are You Being Served? and remained on the show until it wrapped up in 1985.
Berry, who was known as 'The British Buddy Holly', also toured in the 60s with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
More recently, in 2016, he auditioned for the fifth series of The Voice but was not successful. The following year, and again in 2019, he went on tour with The Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show alongside the Wildcats.
His final show in London, on February 23, was sold-out and the performer was said to have been 'on terrific form'.
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