TV actor Peter Wyngarde who played Jason King has died

Peter Wyngarde, who played Jason King in Department S in the late 1960s and early 1970s has died, his agent confirmed 

Jason King star Peter Wyngarde has died at the age of 90, his agent has confirmed.

The actor was best known for his role as sleuth Jason King in Department S and its spin-off.

A heartthrob in his day, he also enjoyed numerous stage roles and appeared as Klytus in Flash Gordon and as Timanov in Doctor Who: Planet Of Fire.

Playing Jason King, Wyngarde was renowned for his extravagant style, bouffant hair, silk dressing gowns, snake skin shoes and a Zapata moustache.  

He played King between 1969 and 1972 when he was one of Britain’s most high profile TV stars. 

However, in 1975 his career suffered a major setback after he was arrested and convicted of ‘an act of gross indecency’ with a lorry driver. He was fined £75 by magistrates under his real name Cyril Louis Goldbert. 

Wyngarde’s camp style as Jason King later proved an inspiration for Mike Myers when he created Austin Powers. 

As a child, Wyngarde was interned by the Japanese in a prisoner of war camp where Empire of the Sun author JG Ballard was also held.

Actor Mark Gatiss wrote on Twitter: ‘From wartime internment alongside JG Ballard to Klytus. With No.2, Baron Gruner, Professor Norman Taylor, Peter Quint and Gloucester bus station in between. What a life. What a legend. Jason King is dead. Long live Jason King!’ 

Wyngarde’s agent and manager, Thomas Bowington, said: ‘He was one of the most unique, original and creative actors that I have ever seen. As a man, there were few things in life he didn’t know.

‘I sometimes nicknamed him the King because he simply knew everything.

Wyngarde's Jason King character provided the inspiration for Austin Powers 

Wyngarde’s Jason King character provided the inspiration for Austin Powers 

Wyngarde was renowned for his sense of style, bouffant hair and Zapata moustache

Wyngarde was renowned for his sense of style, bouffant hair and Zapata moustache

Wyngarde was one of the most recognisable stars of the late 1960s and early 1970s

Wyngarde was one of the most recognisable stars of the late 1960s and early 1970s

Wyngarde, pictured here with Caroline Blakiston died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Wyngarde, pictured here with Caroline Blakiston died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

‘He was a mentor on everything you can think of, from sports cars to how to make a good cup of tea and how to do a tie and shirt.

‘He died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (in London), and even then he was saying that you shouldn’t button the upper button on a shirt.

‘As a person he was the most exceptional person I met in my life and a great mentor and teacher.’

Wyngarde signed his contract for Department S on a napkin in a restaurant and went on to make the character his own.

His agent said the actor had roles and personal appearances coming up and that he died in hospital on Monday, having been unwell for a couple of months. 

In an interview several years ago, Wyngarde said: ‘I decided Jason King was going to be an extension of me. I was inclined to be a bit of a dandy – I used to go to the tailor with my designs.’ 

He said his career was ruined by ‘small minded people’ following his 1975 arrest. 

In 1993 he said: ‘Jason King had champagne and strawberries for breakfast, just as I did myself.

‘I drank myself to a standstill. When I think about it now, I’m amazed I’m still here.’ 

According to his agent Thomas Bowington, Wyngarde had been feeling unwell for months but still had some roles and personal appearances coming up 

According to his agent Thomas Bowington, Wyngarde had been feeling unwell for months but still had some roles and personal appearances coming up 

As well as Jason King, Wyngarde played roles in many cult TV classics of the era such as The Prisoner, pictured, The Avengers and The Saint

As well as Jason King, Wyngarde played roles in many cult TV classics of the era such as The Prisoner, pictured, The Avengers and The Saint

 



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