Sam Kelly

Sam Kelly was one of those rare, deeply charismatic actors whose presence infused every role he played with a special charm and warmth. Perhaps most fondly remembered for his portrayal of Captain Hans Geering in the sitcom ’Allo ’Allo!, Kelly's less-than-loyal Nazi salute and his trademark "Tler!" became iconic moments in British television.

Also remembered for his portrayal of the illiterate prisoner 'Bunny' Warren in Porridge (doing a stretch for burglary because he failed to read the sign: "Warning - Burglar Alarm"), a side character who became an integral part of the series, Kelly displayed his innate ability to breathe life into every role with infectious energy.

Born Samuel Roger Kelly on 19 December 1943 in Salford, Lancashire, Kelly's early years were far from conventional. Abandoned as a child, he was adopted by a couple who moved to Liverpool, where he attended the historic Liverpool Collegiate School. It was there that Kelly first discovered his love for the arts as a choirboy at the Liverpool Cathedral, where he also performed monologues. These early experiences sparked his lifelong passion for public performance.

After leaving school, Kelly worked briefly in the Civil Service before enrolling at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating in 1967. His career took off with repertory work across the UK, and in 1971, he was a member of the Young Vic company that brought The Comedy of Errors to the Edinburgh Festival. The performance, set in modern Edinburgh instead of ancient Ephesus, was a riotous success, and Kelly's role as Antipholus of Edinburgh was met with acclaim.

Kelly made his television debut in 1972 in an episode of Carla Lane’s hit sitcom The Liver Birds, and in 1973 he appeared, briefly, in one of Ronnie Barker’s Seven of One episodes (One Man’s Meat), the same series that introduced Porridge. In 1974 he appeared in the first of  two Carry On films although he struggled to remember the title. “Carry on to the Bank,” he once said (he was paid £160 for his appearance). It was actually Carry on Dick.

As a character actor, he was always in demand for key roles in such dramas as Bleak House, Jenny’s War, Inspector Morse, Holding On, EastEnders and many more. His comedic roles were both as supporting actor and lead actor. He was Dennis Waterman’s chauffeur in the amiable sitcom On the Up (which also starred Joan Sims), and was Gwen Taylor’s husband Ted in the comedy Barbara which ran for four seasons over a six year period.

In 1996, Kelly appeared at the National Theatre in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of War and Peace, and in 2002, performed with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in HMS Pinafore. He starred in Jean-Paul Sartre's play Kean alongside Antony Sher at the Theatre Royal, Bath and in the West End in May 2007. In December 2007, a car struck and injured Kelly in the West End. He was due to have performed in the Doctor Who episode Midnight filmed that month, but the role was taken by David Troughton instead. From October 2010 to February 2011 he starred in When We Are Married at London's Garrick Theatre. In November 2013 he rejoined the West End production of Wicked playing the Wizard, a  role he had previously played from 2009 to 2010, but in January 2014 he left the play due to ill health.

Sam Kelly was admitted to a hospice on 13 June 2014 and died early the next morning aged 70 after a long battle with cancer, "bravely fought,” said his agent. He had been in a long-term relationship with the journalist and psychotherapist Grace Pieniazek until her death in 2009, and although he did not have any other relatives, he did have a long list of friends who were quick to pay tribute to him.  Twitter lit up after his death with tweets from actors – comic or serious – who had worked with him. Former Doctor Who Colin Baker paid tribute to his colleague from drama school, describing Kelly as a "lovely, funny, talented chap". Phil Davis, called him "a wonderful actor, a proper gent and one of the funniest men I ever had the pleasure of working with." Director Mike Leigh, who worked with him nine times, told BBC Radio 5 live that he was the "most loveable guy".

He may not have been a household name in the way that some of his fellow actors were, but to those who knew Sam Kelly, he was a true gem of British television. His legacy lives on in the roles he so brilliantly brought to life, and his distinctive charm and wit will always be remembered with fondness. A truly talented and beloved actor, Kelly brought a unique warmth to every performance, and his place in British television history is secure, forever cherished by fans.