Ian Lavender's rocky love life from two marriages to tragic cancer diagnosis

05 February 2024 , 13:03

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Actor Ian Lavender was married twice (Image: Getty Images)

Dad's Army star Ian Lavender had a rocky love life as he married twice and received a heartbreaking diagnosis just days before one of his weddings.

The actor, who is best known for his role as Private Frank Pike in the hit sitcom, sadly died on Monday aged 77. Announcing his death, a statement read: "We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of the wonderful, Ian Lavender. In what truly marks the end of an era, Ian was the last surviving member of the Dad’s Army main cast.

"His wonderful performance as Private Frank Pike will live on for decades to come. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter enjoyed by millions. We will dedicate this year’s tour to his memory. Our thoughts and love are with Ian’s wonderful wife Miki, their family and close friends."

Ian has died aged 77 (Birmingham Mail)

The actor was best known for his role as Private Frank Pike in Dad's Army

The TV star, who also worked on EastEnders, was born and raised in Birmingham. He landed the role of Private Frank Pike when he was just 22-years-old and fresh out of drama school. Ian went on to have a successful acting career, also playing Derek Harkinson in EastEnders.

Away from screens, Ian was married twice. The actor first married actress Sue Kerchiss. They wed in 1967 but divorced years later in 1973. He went on to marry again with American-born Miki Hardy, who was three years his senior. However, just six days before the wedding in 1993, Ian was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

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Ian said in an interview that year: "We had been living together for 16 years and it was something I should have done a long time before, these things change you, they help you to see what is important in life." The tumour was successfully removed, yet Ian later suffered from a heart attack nine years later.

He said it happened "in the middle of reading an EastEnders script." He told the BBC : "I just knew there was something very, very wrong. All I can say is I have never felt so dreadfully ill, and all in a few seconds." Ian survived bladder cancer in 1993 and suffered a heart attack in 2004.

He left EastEnders in 2018, after he revealed soap bosses were unable to insure him after an illness. “I don’t think they could get me insured now,” Ian told the Radio Times. Ian was the last remaining star of Dad's Army who was still alive after the show launched in 1968.

Tributes have flooded in for the much-loved TV star following the sad announcement of his death. "So saddened to hear this. Ian was such an amazing talent," gushed one. "Wow sad to hear this. What a loss to the acting world. His face always brightened up my days when he appeared on my TV screen," someone else added. "Rest in peace Ian. What a great man all round."

Mia O'Hare