Barry Howard

Barry Howard (9 July 1937 – 28 April 2016) was an English actor who was best known for his role as Barry Stuart-Hargreaves in the first seven series of the long-running BBC sitcomHi-de-Hi!. His deadpan comedy style and classic facial expressions made him a very popular character, but in series 7 of the sitcom, he left the show and was replaced by Julian Dalrymple- Sykes, played by Ben Aris.

Early life and career

He was born in Nottingham. Whilst completing his national service in the Navy, Barry found himself wanting to train for the theatre at theBirmingham Theatre School. Unable to get a grant from the local authority, he worked for almost two years at the Alexandra Theatre in a backstage role to fund his place at drama school.

Howard appeared in Terry and June, You Rang, M'Lord?, The House of Windsor and Dad, in addition to Hi-de-Hi!.

In 2004, Howard played the character of Geoffrey in the short film Open Casket. In November 2009 he appeared in an episode of the BBC comedy Beautiful People. Howard appeared in Doctor Who, in its 2009 two-part Christmas special, as driver of the mini-bus containing the old age pensioners' group seeking the Doctor.

In 2012 Howard appeared in the fifth series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy Fags, Mags and Bags as Frank Butcher. In 2015 he provided the voice of the lead character in ITV's sitcom Mr Snufflesworth. Mr Snufflesworth is a live action comedy starring a dachshund dog who lives in South London.

Howard was also a stage actor, and regularly appeared in pantomimes as an ugly sister opposite John Inman.

He died from cancer on 28 April 2016.