Hi-de-Hi actor Bowness dies at 87

Felix Bowness pictured in Hi-de-Hi with co-star Su Pollard

Comic performer Felix Bowness, who played ex-jockey Fred Quilly in sitcom Hi-de-Hi, has died at the age of 87, his family has confirmed.

The Berkshire-born actor appeared in other TV comedies penned by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, including You Rang, M'Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching!

Among his first small screen turns as a funnyman was in The Benny Hill Show in the 1960s.

Bowness was also a warm-up man for Sir Terry Wogan's 1980s BBC One chat show.

Red book surprise

He also was the warm-up for The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise, chalking up more than 3,000 stints for the BBC.

Bowness entertained the studio audience for This Is Your Life - and was surprised with the famous red book himself in 1985.

The actor was an integral part of the ensemble cast that made up popular sitcom Hi-de-Hi, which ran from 1980-88. He appeared in all 58 episodes.

Set in a 1950s seaside holiday camp, Bowness's character looked after the horses after his career as a jockey was cut short.

He shared a chalet with old, cantankerous - and frequently drunk - Punch and Judy puppeteer Mr Partridge.

Bowness also had cameo roles in Croft and Perry's other classic shows, Are You Being Served and Dad's Army during the 1970s.

He also appeared in comic roles on gameshow 3-2-1 and Noel's House Party, which came later in his career.