Peter Bowles Obituary

Peter Bowles Obituary

Peter Bowles, well remembered for his role in “To the Manor Born”, died of cancer at the age of 85, according to his agency.

Bowles co-starred with Dame Penelope Keith as self-made businessman Richard DeVere in the BBC sitcom, which ran from 1979 to 1981. In a 2007 special, the actors reprised their roles.

The London-born actor was also well-known on stage, having begun his career at the Old Vic Theatre at the age of 20 and finishing 61 years later.

To The Manor Born drew over 20 million viewers at its peak, propelling Bowles to parts in films such as Only When I Laugh, The Bounder, and Executive Stress.

Bowles, who was always distinguished and highly regarded, ruefully admitted that he wasn’t a “star” until, at the age of 43, he played Richard DeVere, the former costermonger turned supermarket tycoon, in the BBC’s hit comedy series To the Manor Born (1979-81), written by Peter Spence, in which he contested Penelope Keith’s not so merry widow Audrey fforbes-affections Hamilton’s

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three children, Guy, Adam and Sasha.