Ian Lavender
Monsignor Howard
Trained at the Bristol Old Vic School far too long ago to be decently remembered.
His first professional engagement was at Canterbury where he was paid less that he received as a student in Bristol. The first season DAD'S ARMY quickly followed in which he played - totally against type - everyone's favourite idiot, Private Frank Pike.
There were ten seasons of DAD'S ARMY during which time he played in various repertory companies, undertook major national tours, opened supermarkets and watched his hair turn white.
Ian has had a varied career, which has included other TV series such as THE GLUMS, COME BACK MRS. NOAH, MR. BIG, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, CLUEDO, THE HARRY HILL SHOW, WESTBEACH, and varying appearances on Talk Shows and Quiz shows and even cooking a meal at home for Carlton Food Network's WHO'S COOKING DINNER? Radio has included drama with A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, THE MIRROR CRACK'D, THE SEXTON'S TALES, MISS MARPLE and a number of plays for the BBC including a season of Ben Travers farces, Radio series include HE'S A WONDERFUL WIFE, DAD'S ARMY, IT STICKS OUT HALF A MILE and PARSLEY SIDINGS. Narration plays a big part in Ian's life - with the London Sinfonia narrating THE SNOWMAN, PETER AND THE WOLF, A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA and playing solo anvil in THE BLACKSMITH'S CHORUS and varying appearances with Rick Wakeman. He has worked in the Near, Far and Middle East, Canada, Holland, Australia and New Zealand; in fact he has gone anywhere and done anything that has put food on the table and clothes on his back! Back in England further television appearances included a two-part CASUALTY, GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART, PEAK PRACTICE, DOCTORS, and a return appearance in THE HARRY HILL SHOW. Ian appeared as Derek Harkinson in EASTENDERS (3 years) and narrated a four part series on THE REAL DAD'S ARMY. Most recently Ian has appeared as guest leads in further episodes of both DOCTORS and CASUALTY.
Although mainly known for light comedy he has ventured into classics: Dustin Hoffman's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE for the Peter Hall Company, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER and TWELFTH NIGHT for Vanessa Ford: CASH ON DELIVERY, PLAINTIFF IN A PRETTY HAT, NOISES OFF and Willy Russell's ONE FOR THE ROAD and the part of his 'god' Buster Keaton in the biographical play BUSTER. West End appearances are numerous and include RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Criterion, THE APPLE CART at the Haymarket, TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX at the Garrick and one of the Lost Musicals at the Barbican - HOLLYWOOD PINAFORE.
Ian appeared in THE GHOST TRAIN as Teddie Deakin at the Bristol Old Vic and as George in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, on tour with Kate O'Mara in NOEL AND GERTIE and, PASSPORT TO PIMLICO a play based on the 1950's film of the same name. Ian appeared as 'Norman' in THE DRESSER and again played the role of Teddie Deakin in a national tour of THE GHOST TRAIN. More recently Ian has appeared as The Narrator and Mysterious Old Man in Derby Playhouses production of Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, as Grandpa Geldman in the National Theatre's Award winning production of CAROLINE OR CHANGE, and as the Narrator in the tour of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.
Pantomime became a great seasonal love and he has appeared in many - over the years he has enjoyed taking on the role of The Dame in productions at Basingstoke, Winchester, Cambridge, Canterbury, Oxford and Doncaster.
Ian has also been the subject of THIS IS YOUR LIFE and he appeared on CELEBRITY MASTERMIND and THE WEAKEST LINK on behalf of Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge which benefited from his winnings.
The loves of his life are cricket, golf, his garden, his sons Daniel and Sam and his wife Michele but not necessarily in that order.
