Actor Trevor Bannister 1936-2011 (Mr. Lucas in "Are You Being Served?") - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-15-2011, 11:19 AM

Link

Are You Being Served? star Trevor Bannister has died aged 76, his brother has confirmed.

The actor suffered a heart attack on Thursday at his allotment in Thames Ditton, Surrey, John Bannister said.

The actor was best known for his role as ladies' man Mr Lucas in the 1970s BBC sitcom set in a department store but he also worked in the theatre.

"He was a good lad, we were all very fond of him," Mr Bannister told BBC News.

More recently, the actor had a stint in the long-running BBC series Last of the Summer Wine.

John Bannister said his brother had been doing some repair work on his shed when he became ill.

Born in Durrington, Wiltshire, and the youngest of three children, Bannister did two year's National Service before going to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

During his career which spanned five decades, he appeared in TV shows including The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Saint and Z Cars.
Trevor Bannister in Last of the Summer Wine Most recently Bannister (far-left) starred in BBC series Last of the Summer Wine

He also made regular appearances in the theatre and in pantomime.

In 2009, the actor led the tributes to his Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard and gave a reading at her funeral.

Speaking to the BBC at the time about his experiences of working on the sitcom, he said: "The joy of that particular show was the fact that most of us had known each other before we came to do it.

"We loved working with each other and had a lot of respect for each other. I think that fun and enjoyment conveyed itself through the screen."

He is survived by his second wife Pam and three sons Simon, Timothy and Jeremy.

catlover79 · 04-15-2011, 01:31 PM

Marvo301 · 04-15-2011, 02:13 PM

Trevor Bannister. We've lost so many "Are You Being Served?" cast members over the last couple of years but I wasn't expecting Trevor to be one of them. This one is a schock!!

LeeBlue · 04-15-2011, 04:04 PM

This is such sad news.

AYBS? is one of my favorite shows and Mr. Lucas one of my favorite characters.

Trevor also appeared in an episode of Keeping Up Appearances -- very funny and talented actor

Adamantium · 04-15-2011, 05:20 PM

This is so sad.

While I'm not complaining they're still alive, you wouldn't expect Mr. Rumbold and Captain Peacock to outlive Mr. Lucas.

Marvo301 · 04-15-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

This is so sad.

While I'm not complaining they're still alive, you wouldn't expect Mr. Rumbold and Captain Peacock to outlive Mr. Lucas.

I was thinking the very same thing Adam!

Zoneboy · 04-15-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

While I'm not complaining they're still alive, you wouldn't expect Mr. Rumbold and Captain Peacock to outlive Mr. Lucas.

Nicholas Smith was only 2 years older than Trevor Bannister so his outliving him is really nothing uncommon.

Retro4Life · 04-15-2011, 07:41 PM

^ I think we all thought that Trevor was younger than he was, though; he certainly looked it.

Regardless, very sad news. My mom and I enjoyed watching the PBS reruns of AYBS for many years.

scotsguy · 04-15-2011, 07:52 PM

I agree,so sad about Trevor Bannister,I didn't think he was that age either.

I get cross when some internet sites say he left AYBS because it turned into an ensemble show.

According to Wendy Richard's book,he was committed to a theatre touring production and couldn't be in series 8 and left the show.

Jude The Obscure · 04-16-2011, 12:57 PM

Sad indeed.
I'm currently watching my AYBS complete series set.

The one thing the writers should have did when he couldn't come back was a simple one-line write out, saying he got a better job or something.

Marvo301 · 04-16-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Sad indeed.
I'm currently watching my AYBS complete series set.

The one thing the writers should have did when he couldn't come back was a simple one-line write out, saying he got a better job or something.

Or that Grace Brothers finally made good on their threat to fire him!!!

Marvo301 · 04-16-2011, 02:51 PM

This makes four AYBS cast members to pass away in the last four years.

John Inman (Mr. Humphries) March 8, 2007
Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms) February 26, 2009
Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) July 1, 2009
Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas) April 14, 2011

Only two main cast members are still with us.

Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock) age 90
Nicholas Smith (Mr. Rumbold) age 77

Mike Berry who joined the cast when Trevor Bannister left is still alive as are several actresses who played supporting roles. They are Vivienne Johnson (Mr. Grace's nurse), Penny Irving (Miss Bakewell), Doremey Vernon (canteen manageress), and Candy Davis (Miss Belfridge).

Adamantium · 04-16-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Sad indeed.
I'm currently watching my AYBS complete series set.

The one thing the writers should have did when he couldn't come back was a simple one-line write out, saying he got a better job or something.

I agree. That's always bugged me. At least they mention that Mr. Spooner is new to the floor and don't pretend like he was there all along. As for Mr. Lucas, I just pretend that he transfered to a different floor/department of Grace Bros. and maybe from there left after a year or so.

scotsguy · 04-17-2011, 11:40 AM

They do say to Mr Spooner,dunno what episode it is but its one of his early

ones that last time the store was struggling they fired the Juniour!

04-15-2011, 11:19 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,430	Actor Trevor Bannister 1936-2011 (Mr. Lucas in "Are You Being Served?") Link Are You Being Served? star Trevor Bannister has died aged 76, his brother has confirmed. The actor suffered a heart attack on Thursday at his allotment in Thames Ditton, Surrey, John Bannister said. The actor was best known for his role as ladies' man Mr Lucas in the 1970s BBC sitcom set in a department store but he also worked in the theatre. "He was a good lad, we were all very fond of him," Mr Bannister told BBC News. More recently, the actor had a stint in the long-running BBC series Last of the Summer Wine. John Bannister said his brother had been doing some repair work on his shed when he became ill. Born in Durrington, Wiltshire, and the youngest of three children, Bannister did two year's National Service before going to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. During his career which spanned five decades, he appeared in TV shows including The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Saint and Z Cars. Trevor Bannister in Last of the Summer Wine Most recently Bannister (far-left) starred in BBC series Last of the Summer Wine He also made regular appearances in the theatre and in pantomime. In 2009, the actor led the tributes to his Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard and gave a reading at her funeral. Speaking to the BBC at the time about his experiences of working on the sitcom, he said: "The joy of that particular show was the fact that most of us had known each other before we came to do it. "We loved working with each other and had a lot of respect for each other. I think that fun and enjoyment conveyed itself through the screen." He is survived by his second wife Pam and three sons Simon, Timothy and Jeremy.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-15-2011, 01:31 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-15-2011, 02:13 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Trevor Bannister. We've lost so many "Are You Being Served?" cast members over the last couple of years but I wasn't expecting Trevor to be one of them. This one is a schock!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-15-2011, 04:04 PM	#4
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Actor Trevor Bannister 1936-2011 (Mr. Lucas in "Are You Being Served?) This is such sad news. AYBS? is one of my favorite shows and Mr. Lucas one of my favorite characters. Trevor also appeared in an episode of Keeping Up Appearances -- very funny and talented actor

04-15-2011, 07:41 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ I think we all thought that Trevor was younger than he was, though; he certainly looked it. Regardless, very sad news. My mom and I enjoyed watching the PBS reruns of AYBS for many years.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

04-15-2011, 05:20 PM	#5
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	This is so sad. While I'm not complaining they're still alive, you wouldn't expect Mr. Rumbold and Captain Peacock to outlive Mr. Lucas.

04-15-2011, 07:52 PM	#9
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	I agree,so sad about Trevor Bannister,I didn't think he was that age either. I get cross when some internet sites say he left AYBS because it turned into an ensemble show. According to Wendy Richard's book,he was committed to a theatre touring production and couldn't be in series 8 and left the show.

04-16-2011, 12:57 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Sad indeed. I'm currently watching my AYBS complete series set. The one thing the writers should have did when he couldn't come back was a simple one-line write out, saying he got a better job or something.

04-16-2011, 02:51 PM	#12
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	This makes four AYBS cast members to pass away in the last four years. John Inman (Mr. Humphries) March 8, 2007 Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms) February 26, 2009 Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) July 1, 2009 Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas) April 14, 2011 Only two main cast members are still with us. Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock) age 90 Nicholas Smith (Mr. Rumbold) age 77 Mike Berry who joined the cast when Trevor Bannister left is still alive as are several actresses who played supporting roles. They are Vivienne Johnson (Mr. Grace's nurse), Penny Irving (Miss Bakewell), Doremey Vernon (canteen manageress), and Candy Davis (Miss Belfridge).

04-17-2011, 11:40 AM	#14
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	They do say to Mr Spooner,dunno what episode it is but its one of his early ones that last time the store was struggling they fired the Juniour!