Richard O'Sullivan, a 1970s sitcom star known for his roles in "Man About the House" and "Robin's Nest", has died at the age of 82. He passed away yesterday at Brinsworth House, a Royal Variety charity care home in Twickenham, west London, where he had lived for 23 years after suffering a stroke. O'Sullivan is remembered for playing trainee chef Robin Tripp and starring as legendary highwayman Dick Turpin in the eponymous TV series. His son James described him as "funny and charming" both on screen and off, crediting the care team at Brinsworth House for their love and kindness over the past 23 years.
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Richard O'Sullivan, the actor who starred in popular 1970s sitcoms Man About the House and Robin's Nest, has passed away at the age of 82. He died yesterday surrounded by family at Brinsworth House, a care home in Twickenham, west London, where he had lived for 23 years after suffering a stroke. O'Sullivan was best known for playing trainee chef Robin Tripp in both shows, which aired from 1973-1981. His son James remembered him as "funny and charming" in real life, and said he will be deeply missed by his family.
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Seventies sitcom star Richard O’Sullivan, who delighted millions in the 1970s with his roles in Man About the House and Robin’s Nest, has died aged 82.
O’Sullivan passed away yesterday surrounded by family at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety charity’s care home in Twickenham, west London, where he had lived for 23 years following a stroke.
The actor also starred as legendary highwayman Dick Turpin in the eponymous TV series but will chiefly be remembered for playing trainee chef Robin Tripp in Man About The House.
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actor → see → House
The sitcom, which followed Tripp’s escapades sharing a London flat with two single women – played by Sally Thomsett and Paula Wilcox – ran from 1973 to 1976.
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which → follow → 1976
He continued in the role in the spin-off show Robin’s Nest from 1977 to 1981.
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He → continue → 1981
O’Sullivan’s son James said in a statement: ‘My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years.
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he → say → years
‘Always kind spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad – I will miss him dearly.
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I → miss → him
‘Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.
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he → happen → shows
‘I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years.
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I → like → years
'They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart.'
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They → hold → heart
O'Sullivan met the Duchess of Sussex during a visit Meghan paid to the home in December 2018.
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Meghan → meet → December
She spoke to him in the home's bar as he drank a cup of tea and when she asked: 'Do you miss acting?'
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you → speak → acting
He replied: 'No.'
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He → reply → ?
Richard O'Sullivan starred in the television sitcoms Man About the House and Robin's Nest
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O'Sullivan → star → House
His most famous role was as Robin Tripp alongside Tessa Wyatt (Vicky Nicholls) in Robin's Nest
O'Sullivan (left) met the Duchess of Sussex when she visited the Royal Variety's nursing home in 2018 while pregnant with Prince Archie
He spoke warmly with the Duchess of Sussex during the visit, which also included a festive sing-a-long
Giles Cooper, life president of the Royal Variety, said: 'Richard O'Sullivan was a master of effortless charm and impeccable comic timing, bringing pure warmth, wit, and unforgettable joy to millions of living rooms as a true giant of British television.
'
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O'Sullivan → meet → television
He will be sorely missed by us all at the Royal Variety charity.'
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He → miss → charity
Born in Chiswick, west London, to John and Ellen O’Sullivan, the star was sent to the Corona Theatre School by his parents to soften a strong Irish accent he had picked up on a family holiday to Ireland.
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he → bear → Ireland
He landed his first TV role aged eight in The Yellow Balloon in 1952, before playing the main character in The Stranger's Hand the following year.
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He → land → Hand
In the years that followed he played roles in numerous television series including Redcap, Danger Man, No Hiding Place, Now Look Here and Strange Report and also appeared in two Cliff Richard films in the early 1960s: The Young Ones and Wonderful Life.
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he → follow → 1960s
His career really took off in the early 1970s when he began to star in sitcoms.
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he → take → sitcoms
Following success in Doctor at Large and medical show’s spin-off Doctor in Charge, he landed the role of Robin Tripp, a trainee chef, in the flatshare comedy Man About The House.
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he → follow → House
He continued in the role in the spin-off – Robin's Nest – in which the character founded a bistro.
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character → continue → bistro
He had relationships with two of his co-stars, Ms Thomsett from Man About the House, and Tessa Wyatt, who played his girlfriend Vicky in Robin's Nest.
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who → have → Nest
Mr O'Sullivan with the model Diana Terry on their wedding day in March 1971
He played Simon Harrup alongside Joanne Campbell and Joan Sanderson in Me and My Girl in the mid-1980s
O'Sullivan (centre) with Ronnie Corbett (left) in a scene from Now Look Here in November 1971
During his seven-year relationship with Ms Wyatt the couple had one son, James.
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couple → play → son
O'Sullivan had previously married the model Diana Terry in 1971, though the pair divorced the same year.
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pair → marry → 1971
He played highwayman Dick Turpin until 1982 before playing the widower Simon Harrup in the sitcom Me and My Girl in the mid 1980s.
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He → play → 1980s
His final acting role was in a one-off 1996 golfing satire named Holed with Tony Robinson.
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role → name → Robinson
Three years later he was a guest on This is Your Life, as part of an episode honouring his former Doctor in the House co-star George Layton.
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This → honour → star
O'Sullivan had been the subject of an episode in 1974 – his participation in Mr Layton's edition would mark his final television appearance.
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participation → mark → appearance
After suffering a stroke in 2003, O'Sullivan moved to the Royal Variety Charity's retirement home in west London, where he remained until his death.
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he → suffer → death
