Desmond Walter-Ellis

Desmond Walter-Ellis (16 September 1914 – 16 September 1994) was an English actor. He was active in a range of genres, from classic drama to cabaret, revue and musicals. He played a major part in the development of BBC Television when it restarted after the Second World War.

Life and career Walter-Ellis was born in London on 16 September 1914, the son of Valentine Walter-Ellis and his wife Eileen Ellis, née Kerin. His roles—on live television in the early days—included Mr Posket in The Magistrate, the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Gerald in Rookery Nook, Aubrey in Tons of Money and Captain Absolute in The Rivals.

On television in the 1960s he was known for starring in the sitcom series Beggar My Neighbour, taking over from Peter Jones as the harassed junior executive. His cinema films include A Run for Your Money (1949), Carry On Admiral (1957), The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery (1966), Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969) and The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970). For BBC Radio he repeated his Teddy Brewster in 1973, with Thorndike and Seyler.

Walter-Ellis died in London on his eightieth birthday, 16 September 1994.