Why working in a gents outfitters left John Inman 'free' to pursue his dreams

A brilliant new biography of the late Are You Being Served? star reveals how a background in menswear helped inspire the flamboyant Mr Humphries and his immortal catchphrase

- David Clayton

JOHN Inman could have been forgiven for thinking stardom had passed him by as 1971 rolled into 1972. The Preston-born actor was 37 and, despite a number of theatrical appearances and a growing reputation as a pantomime dame, celebrity had hitherto evaded him.

Yet when fame finally came knocking, he was not only "free" to grab the opportunity in TV's Are You Being Served? but perfectly suited for the role due to his earlier career... as a menswear sales assistant.

And yet he still needed luck on his side as his big break almost never happened.

Growing up in the 1950s entertainment capital of Britain that was Blackpool, Inman was born to perform, doing a variety act from the age of four, helping create school pantos and making elaborate costumes for himself and his friends.

Given his artistic talents and dressmaking skills, he was taken on as a trainee window dresser at Fox's Departmental Store in Blackpool, based in the gent's outfitters department.

His boss Jack Holden recalled: "He was a jolly good assistant, eager to learn, easy to teach - I was sorry in many ways that I eventually persuaded him to leave and go to London and I'm pleased to say that having applied for that job, he got it."

Inman recalled, in an interview from 1976: "I never used to do any work! Jack did it all while I made props in the fitting room! He used to come in and say, "There's a customer here, John,' and I'd look up and he'd just add, 'Oh, I'll see to it. You just get on with whatever you're making"."

That "job" was at the prestigious Austin Reed department store on Regent Street where Inman became something of a loveable rogue - mischievous with a devilish sense of humour which got him off the hook when he was regularly late for work.

While he was employed with the gent's outfitters, Inman remembered one floorwalker who he described as "light on his feet" and who would inspire his most famous portrayal.