Overview

Barry Howard (9 July 1937 – 28 April 2016) was an English character actor whose warm comic presence made him a familiar face on British television. He is most widely remembered for playing the effete chalet-dancing instructor Barry Stuart-Hargreaves in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, a role he played in the programme's first seven series.

Career and style

Howard’s career encompassed stage work and a long run of television appearances. Like many British performers of his generation, he worked in repertory theatre and made regular guest turns on situation comedies and drama series. He was known for precise comic timing and a gentle, slightly pompous persona that suited the ensemble comedies of the 1970s and 1980s. For a concise account of his career see this actor profile: career summary.

Notable roles and credits

Although Hi-de-Hi! brought him his widest recognition, Howard appeared in a number of other television series, often in supporting or recurring parts. Selected television credits include:

  • Hi-de-Hi! — Barry Stuart-Hargreaves (first seven series)
  • Terry and June — guest appearances and comic supporting roles; see series listing
  • You Rang, M'Lord? — character parts in the ensemble cast
  • The House of Windsor and Dad — further television work demonstrating his range across sitcoms

Departure from Hi-de-Hi!

Howard left Hi-de-Hi! after the seventh series. The show continued with a different comic character, Julian Dalrymple-Sykes, played by Ben Aris, filling a similar part in the ensemble. Howard’s exit allowed the programme to refresh its cast while he continued to take on other stage and screen projects.

Personal life and death

Barry Howard was born in Nottingham in 1937 and built a steady career as a reliable supporting actor. He died on 28 April 2016 in Poole, Dorset, after a battle with blood cancer; he was 78. His death was reported by colleagues and fans remembering his distinctive comic gifts.

Legacy

Howard is remembered as part of a generation of British character actors who helped define sitcoms of the 1970s and 1980s. His portrayal of Barry Stuart-Hargreaves remains a touchstone for viewers of Hi-de-Hi!, and his many supporting roles illustrate the importance of ensemble performers in British television comedy. For viewers exploring classic UK sitcoms, his work offers examples of subtle physical comedy and carefully observed characterisation.