KennethWilliams

Williams' career began during the 40s, working in Combined Services Entertainment.

After the war, he was cast in Hancock's Half-Hour. His catchphrase 'Ere...stop messin' about' stole the show, much to Hancock's irritation.

He was then cast in Kenneth Horne's Beyond Our Ken and Around the Horne, in which he and Hugh Paddick appeared as camp couple Julian and Sandy.

In 26 roles in Carry On films, Williams was reluctantly - for he felt the material beneath him - the centre of the films' high camp world. He's particularly choice in Carry on Cleo and Carry on Up the Khyber; his most famous quote, of course, as Julius Caesar, breathing life into a terrible pun and making it great: "Infamy, Infamy... they've all got it in for me!"

Poorly rewarded despite the Carry Ons' success, Williams continued to foster his radio and stage career. He became a chat and quiz show regular, upstaging everyone around him on Just A Minute.

On the BBC, he will be remembered for voicing Willo the Wisp, the children's animation series featuring overweight fairy Mavis Cruet.

More than anything else, Williams wanted to be a private person respected for his serious work and intellectual stature.

Sadly, plagued by ill-health in the 80s, he died in 1988 of an overdose of barbiturates, either accidentally, or as suicide.