Ian Lavender, best known for his role as Private Pike in the classic BBC comedy series Dad’s Army, has passed away at the age of 77. Despite being the last surviving member of the main cast, Lavender’s name will live on due to the iconic line “Don’t tell him, Pike!”, according to Stuart Wright, chairman of the Dad’s Army Museum in Thetford, Norfolk. Wright joked that this warning would be called out when St Peter asked for Lavender’s name at the “Pearly Gates”.
Dad’s Army followed the exploits of the fictional Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard during WWII and was filmed in Thetford between 1968 and 1977. In the 1973 episode “The Deadly Attachment”, Lavender’s character is told his name will be added to a list of people who will be “brought to account” and Captain Mainwaring blurts out the famous line to protect him. According to the IMDb website, this line has often been voted as “one of the funniest moments” in the history of British television comedy.
Lavender’s death marks a new phase for the Dad’s Army Museum, which opened in 2007. Wright said the museum would consider creating an exhibition in Lavender’s honour. Lavender had visited the museum a number of times, according to Wright. The Chairman also commented that Lavender never wanted to let the Dad’s Army side down because he knew what the series meant to people. However, Wright questioned whether Lavender felt that the Pike role pigeon-holed him and did not allow for other opportunities.
The loss of Lavender is a reminder of the lasting impact of Dad’s Army, which remains a beloved British classic even decades after it was last broadcast. Despite his passing, Ian Lavender’s contribution to the series and the immortal “Don’t tell him, Pike!” line will live on in the hearts of fans for generations to come
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