- published: 17 Aug 2012
- views: 58911
Arthur Ian Lavender (born 16 February 1946), better known as Ian Lavender, is an English stage, film and television actor, best known for his role as Private Pike in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army. Following the death of Clive Dunn in 2012, he is the last surviving cast member to have played a character in the platoon, and following the deaths of Bill Pertwee in 2013, and Pamela Cundell in 2015, he and Frank Williams are the last surviving major cast members.
Lavender was born the younger of two boys in Birmingham, England. He attended Bournville Boys Technical School (later Bournville Grammar-Technical School for Boys) where he appeared in many school dramatic productions. From there he went to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, with the assistance of a grant from the City of Birmingham. He quickly made his mark as a talented young actor and following his graduation in 1967 appeared on stage in Canterbury. His first television appearance was as the lead in a Rediffusion play entitled Half Hour Story: Flowers at my Feet in 1968.
Celebrity Special. (C) BBC MMI Contestants: John Challis Ian Lavender Lesley Joseph Jean Boht Clive Swift Doreen Mantle Mike Grady Gwen Taylor Vicki Michelle Chain: £5,000 £4,000 £3,000 £2,250 £1,000 £500 £250 £100 £0 BANK
3 - The Bank Loan With Bill Pertwee
4 - Who Owned The Pier? With Bill Pertwee
5 - Inspecting The Piles With Bill Pertwee
6 - Pike In Love With Bill Pertwee
7 - The Friends Of Frambourne Pier With Bill Pertwee
9 - Marooned With Bill Pertwee
10 - The Fancy Dress Night With Bill Pertwee
The Pin Up Girl With Bill Pertwee
The Builder With Bill Pertwee