Ian Lavender dead updates — Tributes flood in for last Dad’s Army survivor Private Pike who also starred in EastEnders
DAD'S Army and EastEnders star Ian Lavender has died aged 77.
Announcing his death on Monday, the Dad's Army social media account said his passing "truly marks the end of an era."
The post read: "We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of the wonderful, Ian Lavender.
"In what truly marks the end of an era, Ian was the last surviving member of the Dad’s Army main cast.
"His wonderful performance as Private Frank Pike will live on for decades to come.
"He leaves behind a legacy of laughter enjoyed by millions. We will dedicate this year’s tour to his memory.
"Our thoughts and love are with Ian’s wonderful wife Miki, their family and close friends."
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Was Ian Lavender married?
Ian Lavender was married twice.
His first wife was actress Suzanne Kerchiss in a union that lasted from 1967 to 1976.
The couple had two sons Dan and Sam.
Following this relationship he then married American-born Miki Hardy after 16 years together in 1993.
When did Ian join EastEnders?
Ian Lavender went on to join EastEnders in 2001.
He took on the role of Derek Harkinson, a gay friend of Pauline Fowler.
He was a fixture on Albert Square for four years.
Tributes flood in
Tributes have poured in for Ian Lavender with many referring to him as his best known role Private Pike.
One fan wrote on X: “Sad to hear Ian Lavender has passed away. Best known for playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army.
“The last remaining cast member has now passed on. End of an era of comedy #RIPIanLavender.”
A second said: “So sorry to hear that Ian Lavender aka #PrivatePike of #DadsArmy, has died today.
“An absolute #legend! Thanks for so many laughs over the years!”
Ian Lavender’s costume addition for Private Pike
Ian Lavender was a massive Aston Villa fan and he added an item to his Private Pike costume to reflect this.
Many fans of Dad’s Army will know that Private Pike wore a claret and blue scarf during some of the scenes.
BBC boss pays tribute to Ian Lavender
BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: “Ian was a much-loved actor and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
“In his role of Private Pike, in Dad’s Army, he delivered some of the most iconic and loved moments in the history of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Ian is survived by his wife, choreographer and stage director Michelle Hardy, and their sons Sam and Daniel.
Ian Lavender - a life in pictures
‘Luckiest day of my life’
Ian Lavender once said it was the luckiest day of his life when he was cast as Pike.
He was earning £9 a week during a six-month stint at Canterbury Rep when someone came up to him and said he looked stupid enough to do it.
He said: “I was a complete beginner and I suddenly joined what was probably Britain’s most experienced team of character actors. I was in a state of shock finding myself suddenly among so many great actors.
“When the moment came for me to speak, that funny voice of Pike just came out in a moment of panic.”
'Fans want to mother me'
As the gormless Private Pike of Dad's Army, Ian Lavender was anything but officer material.
Yet his bungling soldier routine in the Home Guard comedy brought him fanmail from all over Britain - especially from women who wanted to mother him.
"I get letters from schoolgirls and middle-aged ladies who want to mother me. I miss out on ladies my own age," he joked once.
How Ian Lavender won the heart of the nation
Lavender was the youngest member of Dad’s Army – the much-loved BBC series (even the late Queen used to tune in) which ran for 10 years.
He used to drive Captain Mainwaring mad with his whining and relied on his Uncle Arthur, played by John Le Mesurier, to keep an eye on him.
With a scarf wrapped permanently around his neck – his over-protective mum worried about his weak chest – Private Pike was the last man in Britain to strike terror into the hearts of invading Germans.
Dad's Army took four years to take off
Although once described by The Times as a "masterpiece", Dad's Army took four years to take off. The first reviews dismissed it and the series was almost ended three or four times.
But it won the hearts of 12 million viewers and the BBC called it one of their biggest comedy successes.
It became so popular it was turned into a West End stage show and film.
BBC boss pays tribute to Ian Lavender
BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: “Ian was a much-loved actor and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
“In his role of Private Pike, in Dad’s Army, he delivered some of the most iconic and loved moments in the history of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Ian is survived by his wife, choreographer and stage director Michelle Hardy, and their sons Sam and Daniel.
Ian Lavender - a life in pictures
'Fans want to mother me'
As the gormless Private Pike of Dad's Army, Ian Lavender was anything but officer material.
Yet his bungling soldier routine in the Home Guard comedy brought him fanmail from all over Britain - especially from women who wanted to mother him.
"I get letters from schoolgirls and middle-aged ladies who want to mother me. I miss out on ladies my own age," he joked once.
How Ian Lavender won the heart of the nation
Lavender was the youngest member of Dad’s Army – the much-loved BBC series (even the late Queen used to tune in) which ran for 10 years.
He used to drive Captain Mainwaring mad with his whining and relied on his Uncle Arthur, played by John Le Mesurier, to keep an eye on him.
With a scarf wrapped permanently around his neck – his over-protective mum worried about his weak chest – Private Pike was the last man in Britain to strike terror into the hearts of invading Germans.
‘Luckiest day of my life’
Ian Lavender once said it was the luckiest day of his life when he was cast as Pike.
He was earning £9 a week during a six-month stint at Canterbury Rep when someone came up to him and said he looked stupid enough to do it.
He said: “I was a complete beginner and I suddenly joined what was probably Britain’s most experienced team of character actors. I was in a state of shock finding myself suddenly among so many great actors.
“When the moment came for me to speak, that funny voice of Pike just came out in a moment of panic.”
Ian Lavender - a life in pictures
Ian Lavender's other TV roles
He handed in his Home Guard uniform after the last series in 1978 - and went on to play soppy Ron in The Glums, a 1979 ITV series.
And he was the youthful idiot in Mr Big, a BBC comedy about a small-time crook called Ginger.
Dad's Army took four years to take off
Although once described by The Times as a "masterpiece", Dad's Army took four years to take off. The first reviews dismissed it and the series was almost ended three or four times.
But it won the hearts of 12 million viewers and the BBC called it one of their biggest comedy successes.
It became so popular it was turned into a West End stage show and film.
How Ian Lavender won the heart of the nation
Lavender was the youngest member of Dad's Army - the much-loved BBC series (even the late Queen used to tune in) which ran for 10 years.
He used to drive Captain Mainwaring mad with his whining and relied on his Uncle Arthur, played by John Le Mesurier, to keep an eye on him.
With a scarf wrapped permanently around his neck - his over-protective mum worried about his weak chest - Private Pike was the last man in Britain to strike terror into the hearts of invading Germans.
'Fans want to mother me'
As the gormless Private Pike of Dad's Army, Ian Lavender was anything but officer material.
Yet his bungling soldier routine in the Home Guard comedy brought him fanmail from all over Britain - especially from women who wanted to mother him.
"I get letters from schoolgirls and middle-aged ladies who want to mother me. I miss out on ladies my own age," he joked once.
BBC boss pays tribute to Ian Lavender
BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: "Ian was a much-loved actor and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
"In his role of Private Pike, in Dad's Army, he delivered some of the most iconic and loved moments in the history of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family."
Ian is survived by his wife, choreographer and stage director Michelle Hardy, and their sons Sam and Daniel.
Ian Lavender - a life in pictures
Ian Lavender’s costume addition for Private Pike
Ian Lavender was a massive Aston Villa fan and he added an item to his Private Pike costume to reflect this.
Many fans of Dad’s Army will know that Private Pike wore a claret and blue scarf during some of the scenes.
'Luckiest day of my life'
Ian Lavender once said it was the luckiest day of his life when he was cast as Pike.
He was earning £9 a week during a six-month stint at Canterbury Rep when someone came up to him and said he looked stupid enough to do it.
He said: “I was a complete beginner and I suddenly joined what was probably Britain’s most experienced team of character actors. I was in a state of shock finding myself suddenly among so many great actors.
"When the moment came for me to speak, that funny voice of Pike just came out in a moment of panic."
Ian’s big break in Dad’s Army
Ian Lavender was just 22-years-old when he secured the role of Private Pike in Dad’s Army.
He was a junior bank clerk frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as “stupid boy”.
He played the role for ten years on the much-loved comedy classic.
