Jeremy Lloyd dead: Allo Allo and Are You Being Served? creator dies aged 84

Lloyd's agent has confirmed that the comedy writer died from pneumonia

John Inman playing Mr Humphries in Are You being Served?

The creator of hit comedies Allo Allo and Are You Being Served? has died aged 84.

Lloyd's agent confirmed the sad news, stating that the acclaimed comedy writer passed away in a London hospital yesterday evening after suffering from pneumonia.

Allo Allo creator Jeremy Lloyd (Getty Images)

"Jeremy was a great wit and always a mass of original ideas," said Alexandra Cann. "He had a wonderfully original mind and will be greatly missed."

Lloyd began his career as a writer in the late Fifties before making his film debut in 1960 with School for Scoundrels and appearing in a number of successful film and TV comedies throughout the Sixties and Seventies.

He starred in two films with The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night and Help! and also had a role in The Magic Christian with Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.

Lloyd was married three times, notably to Joanna Lumley for five months in 1970.

Lloyd was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in last year's New Years Honours for his services to British comedy.