Malmesbury actor James Grout dies aged 84 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Malmesbury actor James Grout dies aged 84

4:00pm Friday 13th July 2012 in News By Ian Craig

POPULAR Malmesbury actor James Grout has died aged 84.

Mr Grout, best known for his role as Inspector Morse’s constantly exasperated boss, had lived in the town since moving there with his wife Noreen in 1977.

He became a fixture at charity and community events, and was a popular figure around Malmesbury and the surrounding area.

Mr Grout was born in London in 1927 and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, although his time there was cut short by a spell in the RAF, where he kept his acting dream alive by taking part in amateur dramatics in the aircraft hangers, After stints at the Old Vic and the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1950s, he moved on to television acting.

He appeared in the 1960s TV series Redcap, where he first worked alongside fellow Wiltshire actor John Thaw, who he would come to star alongside as Chief Superintendent Strange in the many Morse serials.

He racked up an impressive list of roles throughout his career on stage, television and film, including appearances in Yes, Minister and A Fine Romance and appeared alongside Peter O’Toole in Man and Superman.

He became ill in his late years and moved to Ashgrove Nursing Home in Purton, where he died peacefully on Sunday June 24.