Actor Inman admitted to hospital

John Inman is due to appear in panto at the Richmond Theatre

Are You Being Served actor John Inman has been admitted to hosptial after contracting hepatitis A.

The 68-year-old, best known for playing Mr Humphries in the 1970s sitcom, has been forced to cancel his opening night of pantomime in Richmond, London.

Inman's manager Phil Dale said he is recovering, and should be well enough to appear on stage by 20 December.

The actor was struck down with the liver disease after eating some contaminated food.

Inman was due to play Wanda the cook in the production of Dick Whittington, and an understudy will take on the role until he returns to fitness.

'Not serious'

The actor's London home was damaged by a fire three weeks ago, and according to his manager, his health began to suffer at the same time.

"It is not a serious illness and he will be fine," said Mr Dale.

The hepatitis A virus is caused by eating contaminated food, and although highly infectious, is not as serious as the B and C strains of the illness.

Inman is best remembered for his role in Are You Being Served, which ran on the BBC from 1972-85, coining the catchphrase "I'm free!"

The saying came top of a poll of well-known sitcom one-liners in 2003.