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Allo, Allo actor Gorden Kaye dies in care home aged 75

Passed away: Gorden Kaye has died at the age of 75
Passed away: Gorden Kaye has died at the age of 75

Actor Gorden Kaye, best known for his role in Allo, Allo, has died at the age of 75.

The BAFTA-nominated British actor passed away while in a care home on Monday morning, his agent has confirmed.

Kaye played café owner Rene Artois in the classic sitcom, focusing on resistance fighters in France during World War II.

The actor appeared in all 84 episodes of the hit television show, having taken on the role in 1982, as well as 1,200 performances of the stage show.

He then returned to reprise the role in 2007 for a one-off television show and later for a new stage version in Australia.

Co-stars: Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle
Co-stars: Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle

Kaye released his autobiography in 1989, entitled Rene & Me: A Sort of Autobiography, a few years after he was the subject of This Is Your Life.

The actor suffered serious head injuries during a car accident during the Burns’ Day storm back in 1990.

Gordon Kaye at John Inman's funeral in 2007 (Rex Features)
Gordon Kaye at John Inman's funeral in 2007 (Rex Features)

He received emergency brain surgery following the accident and later admitted that he had no memory of the event.

Accident: Gorden Kaye suffered serious head injuries during a car accident in 1990 (Mark Richards)
Accident: Gorden Kaye suffered serious head injuries during a car accident in 1990 (Mark Richards)

Kaye’s started his acting career back in a series of radio plays before landing a role in Coronation Street in 1969, playing Elsie Tanner’s nephew Bernard Butler.

Roles in Are You Being Served?, the 1979 Porridge film and It Ain’t Half Hot Mum followed.

One of Kaye’s final appearances on screen was in BBC sketch show Revolver back in 2004.

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Shane Allen, controller of BBC comedy commissioning said: "Gorden Kaye was a terrific comic actor whose signature role, Rene Artois, earned his place in the comedy hall of fame

"He was instrumental in making 'Allo 'Allo! such a long running and well-loved series.

"His work lives on and thoughts are with friends and loved ones at this sad time."