Richard O’Sullivan, the actor best known for his roles in the hit TV sitcoms Man About the House and Robin’s Nest, has died at the age of 82.
O’Sullivan, who also took on the title role in the period adventure series Dick Turpin, died at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity’s care home in Twickenham, west London.
He had spent the past 23 years living at the home, where he met the Duchess of Sussex during her visit in December 2018.
In a statement, his son James said: ‘My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years.
‘Always kind spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad – I will miss him dearly.
‘Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.
‘I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years.
‘They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart.’
Richard O’Sullivan starred in the television sitcoms Man About the House and Robin’s Nest
He starred as Robin Tripp alongside Tessa Wyatt, who played Vicky Nicholls, in Robin’s Nest
Mr O’Sullivan (left) met the Duchess of Sussex, who visited the Royal Variety Charity’s nursing home in 2018 while pregnant with Prince Archie
He spoke warmly with the Duchess of Sussex during the visit, which also included a festive sing-a-long
And Giles Cooper, Life-President of the Royal Variety, said: ‘Richard O’Sullivan was a master of effortless charm and impeccable comic timing, bringing pure warmth, wit, and unforgettable joy to millions of living rooms as a true giant of British television.
‘He will be sorely missed by us all at the Royal Variety Charity.’
Born in Chiswick, west London, a young Mr O’Sullivan returned from a family holiday in Ireland with a strong Irish accent and was sent to the Corona Theatre School to soften it.
He went on to debut in The Yellow Balloon, which he filmed at the age of eight in 1952, before playing the main character in The Stranger’s Hand the following year.
As an adult he appeared in two Cliff Richard films in the early 1960s: The Young Ones and Wonderful Life.
In the years that followed he played roles in numerous television series including Redcap, Danger Man, No Hiding Place and Strange Report.
His first prominent television comedy roles came in the early 1970s, when he played Lawrence Bingham in Doctor at Large and a leading part in Alcock and Gander.
In one of his best-known roles Mr O’Sullivan starred as Robin Tripp, a trainee chef, in the flatshare sitcom Man About the House, which first aired in 1973 and followed the young man as he shared a London flat with two single women.
After the series ended in 1976 he continued to star in the spin-off – Robin’s Nest – in which his character founded a bistro.
He had relationships with two of his co-stars, Sally Thomsett from Man About the House and Tessa Wyatt, who played his girlfriend Vicky in Robin’s Nest.
During his seven-year relationship with Ms Wyatt the couple had one son, James.
Mr O’Sullivan had previously married the model Diana Terry in 1971, though the pair divorced the same year.
Mr O’Sullivan with the model Diana Terry on their wedding day in March 1971
He played Simon Harrup alongside Joanne Campbell and Joan Sanderson in Me and My Girl, which aired during the mid-1980s
Comedian Ronnie Corbett (left) and Mr O’Sullivan (centre) in a scene from Now Look Here in November 1971
He starred in the drama series Dick Turpin until 1982 before playing the widower Simon Harrup in the sitcom Me and My Girl in the mid-1980s.
His final acting role was in a one-off 1996 golfing satire named Holed with Tony Robinson.
Three years later he was a guest on This is Your Life, as part of an episode honouring his former Doctor in the House co-star George Layton.
Mr O’Sullivan had been the subject of an episode in 1974 – his participation in Mr Layton’s edition would mark his final television appearance.
After suffering a stroke in 2003, Mr O’Sullivan moved to the Royal Variety Charity’s retirement home in west London, where he remained until his death.
