Here at News OnTheWight we’re very sorry to hear of the death of Raymond Allen. Ray was best known as the writer of the classic 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em – a series that had the British public enraptured every week.
He sadly passed away on Sunday 2nd October 2022 aged 82.
Modest and hugely likeable
Many on the Island will have heard Ray speaking at the many events he attended over the years. Locally he was also involved as a judge for the Sight for Wight Short Story Writing Competition (2020).
Ray was one of those people you could say was “a really lovely bloke”, modest and hugely likeable.
Hearing him talk about his career in years gone by, it became obvious that the Frank Spencer character was in some parts autobiographic.
In June this year Ray was presented with the Freedom of Ryde.
Ray’s background
Born in 1940 in Ryde in the Isle of Wight, the British television screenwriter and playwright wrote sketches for numerous comedy legends, including Frankie Howerd, Dave Allen, Hale and Pace, Jimmy Cricket and Little and Large, and more than 30 plays.
He will be best remembered as the creator of one of television’s funniest and most popular sitcoms, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, which starred Michael Crawford as the hapless ‘Frank Spencer’and Michele Dotrice as his wife ‘Betty’. In addition to an enduring success in the UK, where it was regularly watched by 25 million viewers, it was also shown in over 60 countries.
Family tribute
In a statement, Ray’s family said,
“It is with greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our much-loved husband, stepfather, and grandad. After a short illness, with family and friends by his side, he passed away peacefully on Sunday 2nd October 2022.
“His life’s work gave joy and laughter to many millions of people not just in this country but all around the world. Raymond has left us all with wonderful memories filled with fun, laughter, and love.
“He will be remembered as a very humble, kind and generous man. His legacy will live on. He will be greatly missed by many.”
Our thoughts are with Ray’s family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.
