'Allo 'Allo! actor Gorden Kaye, aged 75, dies at care home

The actor Gorden Kaye, best known for his role in 'Allo 'Allo!, the BBC sitcom, died this morning (23 January) in his care home at the age of 75.

Gorden Kaye became famous when he was cast as cafe owner René Artois in the hit 1980s comedy.

Set in a small town in German-occupied France during World War Two, he appeared in 84 episodes of the sitcom which pokes fun at the comic capers of Nazi soldiers, the French villagers and its French Resistance fighters.

Some of the sitcom's most memorable catchphrases include: "Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once!" spoken by a Resistance fighter.

"Good moaning" was another hit phrase uttered by a British agent speaking in poor French.

‘Allo ‘Allo! co-star Vicki Michelle, who played Yvette Carte-Blanche, tweeted on Twitter: 'So sad to hear news of Gorden Kaye.

'A brilliantly talented actor consummate professional, loved the world over. There'll never be another Rene.'

The actor first appeared in ITV soap’s Coronation Street and later the sitcoms Till Death Us Do Part and Are You Being Served? before taking the role of René Artois.

The unusual spelling of the actor's name Gorden (instead of 'Gordon') was the result of a typing error by the British Actors' Equity Association.