The final surviving star of BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? has died at the age of 82.
Mike Berry, who played Mr Spooner in the beloved series from 1981 to 1985, passed away quietly at home on Friday, April 11.
The news was shared on Facebook by Berry's friend and manager, Peter Stockton.
He wrote: “It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform everyone that the legendary Mike Berry died peacefully this morning, his family members by his bedside.”
But who exactly was Berry? Here’s a timeline of his career.
Who was Mike Berry?
Born in Northampton in 1942, Michael Hubert Bourne, known professionally as Mike Berry, was a well-known singer and actor.
Berry began his career as a vocalist and had two successful singles in the 1960s: Tribute to Buddy Holly and Don't You Think It's Time. He was known at the time as Britain's version of Buddy Holly, the singer of Peggy Sue.
As he gained popularity, the singer toured with both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. In the 1980s, he had another hit with Sunshine of Your Smile.
He also released Drift Away in 1970, a classic that many musicians would later cover. Soul singer Dobie Gray, in particular, made it an international hit in 1973.
He also ventured into acting.
Are You Being Served?
The shift from musician to actor wasn't planned; Berry's path to acting was inadvertently paved by a string of TV commercial appearances.
His first proper acting role on TV was in children’s favourite Worzel Gummidge in 1979 and, two years later, he landed a part in the popular sitcom Are You Being Served?, where he made frequent appearances until the show's finale in 1985.
Set in the flagship department store of a fictional chain named Grace Brothers, the London-set comedy centres on the misadventures and mistakes of the employees and their regular revolving series of customers.
The sitcom proved a ratings hit with UK audiences, and gained international recognition with broadcasts across the world including US, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
Berry played Mr Spoon, the junior salesman replacement for Mr Lucas.
More recently
After a long musical career, Berry tried out for The Voice in its fifth season in 2016, but was not selected. Unfazed, he toured the UK in 2017 with Eden Kane, Marty Wilde, Mark Wynter, and the Wildcats as part of The Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show.
He returned to touring with The Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show in 2019, this time accompanied by the Wildcats, Nancy Ann Lee (Little Miss Sixties), Charlie Gracie, and Marty Wilde.
Earlier this year, Berry performed a sold-out show with the band The Outlaws at the Half Moon bar in Putney, London.
Tributes pour in
A heartfelt Facebook tribute was shared by SongLink editor David Stark.
“I knew Mike for almost 50 years since 1976, one of the nicest guys in the biz always with a laugh and a smile.
“His excellent sold out show at the Half Moon Putney was only a few weeks ago, he was on terrific form and was due to do another one in the summer. Very, very sad news indeed, RIP Mike you will be missed…”
Musician Kate Garner tweeted that she was “shocked and saddened” by the news.
She said: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Berry, dear family friend and a great singer. My dad and he were in 'The Outlaws' together. In 1980, Dad produced his hit single 'The Sunshine Of Your Smile' Thoughts with his family.”
Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Berry, dear family friend and a great singer. My dad and he were in 'The Outlaws' together. In 1980, Dad produced his hit single 'The Sunshine Of Your Smile' Thoughts with his family. #MikeBerry pic.twitter.com/AmvDXjwQTv
— Kate Garner (@KateGarnerMusic) April 11, 2025
Fans also took to X to share their sadness.
One fan tweeted: “Remembered for being in #AreYouBeingServed & a 60s pop star But for me he was the dad in #WorzelGummidge who was always looking for an excuse to go to the pub, leaving his kids to fend for themselves & why the hell were they living in a caravan on a farm.”
#RIP Mike Berry
— Bernard Quackenbush (@BernardQuack) April 11, 2025
Remembered for being in #AreYouBeingServed & a 60s pop star
But for me he was the dad in #WorzelGummidge who was always looking for an excuse to go to the pub, leaving his kids to fend for themselves & why the hell were they living in a caravan on a farm? pic.twitter.com/p8sQDT6Tan
While another added: “Such sad news about mike berry. RIP. so talented and a brilliant part of are you being served!”
Such sad news about mike berry. RIP. so talented and a brilliant part of are you being served! pic.twitter.com/EPbd2Y6wna
— are you being served? (@oldtvprograms) April 11, 2025
A third added: “Sad to hear musician and comedy actor Mike Berry has died, aged 82. Some 21 episodes of Are You Bring Served? and 23 of Worzel Gummidge... another piece of my childhood televisual viewing jigsaw gone.”
Sad to hear musician and comedy actor Mike Berry has died, aged 82. Some 21 episodes of Are You Bring Served? and 23 of Worzel Gummidge... another piece of my childhood televisual viewing jigsaw gone. pic.twitter.com/rqguc4ivcO
— Morris Bright MBE (@MorrisBrightMBE) April 11, 2025
