Carry On actor David Kernan has died at the age of 85, his representatives have confirmed in a statement.
The British actor was known for playing Nicholas in the 1972 comedy Carry On Abroad and as Troubadour in 1971’s Up the Chastity Belt, a spin-off movie of the TV show Up Pompeii! The star was well known for memorable roles on the small screen – and focused his performing in theatre in the 1980s.
His representatives took to social media on December 30 to confirm the sad news of his passing. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they penned: “It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that dear David has passed away peacefully. In this time of such sadness, we shall think of the wonderful man he was, and the truly fantastic career that he had on stage, and on screen.”
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Tributes to the actor immediately began to appear online, with many affectionately recalling David and his work. One fan on X wrote: “So sad to her that the talented #DavidKernan has passed away. He will be making sweet music with the fabulous #StephenSondheim & from #CarryOnAbroad to his musical theatre work Mr Kernan was a class act.”
Another wrote: “My condolences. I saw Side by Side by Sondheim several times in 1976, all those years ago. David was terrific.” And a further fan typed: “Sending my condolences, remembering him for Sondheim of course, but also the masterful Cole Porter review at the Vaudeville in the 1990s.”
David played Private Frederick Hitch in the 1964 British epic war film Zulu – which depicting the Battle of Rorke’s Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879 and starred Sir Michael Caine in a leading role. While on the small screen he drew attention for a small but memorable role in two separate episodes of The Avengers – which starred the late performers Patrick Macnee and Dame Diana Rigg.
David also enjoyed considerable success on stage – being nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his appearance in the original Broadway cast of Side by Side by Sondheim in 1977. And he had notable roles in a production of Noel/Cole Let’s do it, celebrating the work of Noël Coward and Cole Porter – which was applauded at the Chichester Festival Theatre before touring in the 1990s.
Former co-stars added to the voices celebrating David’s life in light of his sad passing. One actress named Caroline Smith wrote on X: “My thoughts are with David’s friend’s and family at this difficult time. I loved working with David at the start of my career on Dorothy Fields Forever and Call Me Merman, its was a privilege to have known him, may you rest in peace David.”
While another appreciative fan wrote: “RIP Mr David Kernan. My life was better because of you. Thanks for sharing your love of musical theatre, and performances. So many wonderful hours enjoying @BBCRadio2 #SongsFromTheShows and so many Sondheim galas (with Julia, Millie, Ned, Martin Smith and Maria Friedman).”
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