Dad's Army hero's war against booze

New biography tells of trauma behind the scenes

By Mervyn Hancock

(Source: Western Daily Press, Monday July 29 2002)

A HILARIOUS episode of Britain's favourite comedy, Dad's Army, showed Arthur Lowe in a dual role as Captain Mainwaring and his drunken brother Barry.

But behind the cameras and away from the fictional Walmington-on-Sea, alcohol played a big role in the lives of the loveable actor and his wife Joan. It is said Joan was a hopeless alcoholic who had to be undressed and put to bed by Arthur, who would then spend sleepless nights drinking cold beer.

Much of the actor's life was laid bare by his son Stephen in his book Arthur Lowe - A Life. But more revelations are to be made in a biography to be published in September by show business author Graham Lord.

Credited with best selling biographies of James Herriot, Dick Francis and Jeffrey Barnard - and working on a biography of David Niven - Lord was given unprecedented access to Lowe's family papers for Arthur Lowe - A Life That Led To Mainwaring. Interviews with Clive Dunn who played Corporal Jones and Ian Lavender, 'Stupid Boy' Pike, chronicle the nine years and more than 80 episodes that Captain Mainwaring rallied his troops against the Hun.

The 10 series have been repeated twice a week on TV channels around the world since the first episode was filmed in Norfolk in April 1968. They continued until November 1977, with the platoon falling in for the last time on Christmas day of that year on the Morecambe & Wise show.

Off camera, Lowe could be charming to his fellow actors, but suffered from a bad temper and would turn red in the face. Friends say he was often intolerent of his audience, called at least one set of fans morons and told others who recognised him on a day out to "bugger off".

Lowe became an actor when he was fighting in the North African desert during World War II after helping one of his officers build a theatre in Alexandria - that officer is still alive and has being interviewed for the book.

Although most people remember Lowe for Mainwaring, his career spanned a variety of roles. He was the narrator in the children's series The Mister Men and played bossy draper Leonard Swindley in Coronation Street.

He appeared in 90 episodes earning £10,000 a year and, by the end of his stint with Granada, was completely fed up with it. He was written out by suffering a heart attack and left the set with relief only to be hauled back to record the funeral scenes.

Arthur Lowe's real death came at 5am on April 15 after suffering a stroke. Stephen Lowe said he heard about his fathers death on the radio - his mother had not telephoned him. She had left the hospital for rehearsals for her own stage play. Fewer than a dozen people attended Lowe's funeral in Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, after which his ashes were scattered in the grounds. His wife did not attend and afterwards the mourners went to a pub for a drink. She was keeping a pact she had made with her husband that neither would attend each others funerals.

Each year, on April 22, the book of remembrance at the crematorium opens at a page which reveals a poignant, simple message written by Joan: "Arthur Lowe - Loved by Millions".

Arthur Lowe - A Life That Led To Mainwaring by Graham Lord will be published by Orion books in September, priced £16.99

Comedy Tribute to the Home Guard

Dad's Army was a long running comedy created and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Perry had the idea for the series when he realised how many people had forgotten the contribution the Home Guard had made during World War II.

Beginning in 1968, ran on the BBC for nine years with more than 80 episodes spread over 10 series. The programme is set in the small fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-sea, somewhere on the South Coast of England.

It is remembered for its well-loved actors such as Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson and Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones.