Hi-de-Hi star Felix Bowness dies aged 87

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OMG not again...RIP Felix

Hi-de-Hi star Felix Bowness has died, his family confirmed today.

The actor, who played ex-jockey Fred Quilley in the Eighties comedy series, passed away at the age of 87.

His generally unhappy character was in charge of the horses at holiday camp Maplin's, where he was famous for his run-ins with the management.

Comic veteran: Felix Bowness starred in all 58 episodes of Hi-de-Hi

The veteran comic, who began his career in the 1960s as an extra in the Benny Hill Show, also appeared in television comedies including You Rang, M'Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching!

The Berkshire-born star was also a warm-up act for Sir Terry Wogan's 1980s BBC1 chat show, as well as The Two Ronnies and Morecambe And Wise.

Mr Bowness, who appeared in all 58 episodes of Hi-de-Hi, was an integral part of the ensemble cast, which also starred Su Pollard.

Son Robert Bowness today described his father as a joker who doted on his grandchildren.'Last week, when he knew he was dying, he said he had done more in his life than three people could have.

'When we were upset because he was ill he said "don't cry, make me laugh".

'He was a joker who didn't like miserable people around him. He was always joking. He doted on his grandchildren, who are now grown up themselves.

Passed away: Bowness as Fred Quilley in Hi-de-Hi

'When he retired, he devoted his life to them. My son described him as his second father because he was just always there for them.

'He was just a happy, very caring and loving father.

'To us he was just an ordinary man who lived life to the full.

'He loved being recognised by people and never refused to sign an autograph.'

Felix died on Sunday evening at the family home in Reading after falling ill at the end of August - his family believe he may have had cancer.

In addition to his son, Mr Bowness is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mavis, 80, three grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Born in 1922 to French Canadian parents, Mr Bowness' first career was as a bantam-weight boxing champion.

During World War II he served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a signalman.

His son told how he refused to speak about the war in detail except that his craft had been sunk in the Normandy landings and that he only remembered waking in a French convent thinking he was dead.

Mr Bowness did tell his family how how forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn had given him singing lessons before he entered into the world of showbiz.

The family believe that one of his proudest moments was receiving the This is Your Life red book in 1985.

'He also always enjoyed doing warm-up for Terry Wogan,' said Mr Bowness Jr.

'He never had a bad word to say about Terry Wogan and always spoke very kindly of him.

'Hi-de-Hi would also have to be a top moment - it made him a household name. If it hadn't been for that show, he would just be remembered by a small circle of showbiz people.'

Fans and colleagues today flooded online memorial sites to pay tribute.

One read: 'Dearest Fe, what can I say. We loved you, you made us laugh, such happy and fond memories.

'You brought a lot of sunshine into my own and others' lives. RIP.'

Another read: 'A sad loss but he certainly left his mark on television history. RIP.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/artic...l#ixzz0RCM2yuKE