Charles Hawtrey

CHARLES HAWTREY d1988. English comedy actor best known for playing wimpish effeminate characters in the classic Carry On film series of the 1960s and 70s. His contract was not renewed after Carry On Abroad (1972) due to his irrational behaviour caused by his alcoholism. He  retired to Deal in Kent in the 1980s, where he devoted much time to the consumption of alcohol. He cut an eccentric figure in the small town and was well known for promenading along the seafront in extravagant attire, waving cheerfully to the fishermen. He caused a news scandal in August 1984, when his house caught fire, after he went to bed with a teenager and left a cigarette burning. Newspaper photos from the time show a fireman carrying an emotional, partially clothed and sans toupee Hawtrey down a ladder to safety. In October 1988, he was taken to hospital after breaking his leg in a fall in front of a public house. He was discovered to be suffering from vascular disease, a condition of the arteries brought on by a lifetime of heavy smoking. He was told that in order to save his life, his legs would have to be amputated. He refused, allegedly saying he preferred to die with his boots on. He died just a month later aged 73. On his deathbed, Hawtrey supposedly threw a vase at his nurse who asked for a final autograph.