Richard O’Sullivan, who has died aged 82, went from being a cherubic child actor in the 1950s to the star of 70s television sitcoms. He found his first big role in Man About the House (1973-76) as Robin Tripp, sharing a flat in Earl’s Court, London, with two female friends, Chrissy (Paula Wilcox) and Jo (Sally Thomsett) – a formula presented as daring at the time.
The show, Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer’s creation, attempted to turn 1970s male-female stereotypes on their head – albeit in the name of comedy – by having Robin, a trainee chef, taking charge in the kitchen. However, he was barred from his flatmates’ bedrooms and the three of them had to deal with their mean-spirited landlord, George Roper (Brian Murphy), and his wife, Mildred (Yootha Joyce).
