Kenneth Connor was born in June 1916 in London. The son of a naval officer who ran concert parties, the decision was made for him to enter into showbusiness quite early in his life; he made his first stage appearance aged 2! By the time he was 11, Connor was performing in a double act with his brother' both in his father's shows and in revue.
Later, he decided to become a serious actor and attended the Central School of Music and Drama, where he won a gold medal. After six years as a gunner in the army, he returned to showbusiness and took on a number of stage roles. However, it was in radio where Connor found his true forte.
Connor made a name for himself as a radio actor; providing voice chariacatures for the likes of Ted Ray. At the time, his work on shows such as 'Ray's a Laugh' was compared to the likes of Peter Sellers (who also featured in the show) and Jon Pertwee. His best known character was Sidney Mincing; who told the longest jokes on radio.
Connor soon found a niche in the first Carry On picture, playing the romantic lead (with more than a few quirks thrown in for good measure); a role which he sustained through the majority of the early films until he was supplanted by Jim Dale. Later films saw him portray characters more suited to his then age, although many of the mannerisms he was so well known for remained.
Awarded the MBE in 1991 for his services to showbusiness, Connor became a familiar face on British television screens following the demise of the Carry Ons. He found new fame as the undertaker M Alphonse in the BBC's long-running Allo Allo sit-com and appeared in other classic comedies like Hi-De-Hi and Blackadder..
Kenneth Connor died in November 1993, following a short fight against cancer. His last performance was on Noel's House Party, just 2 days before he died.
