Trivia

Had a special aptitude for mastering dialects. He was particularly effective on screen in upper-crust or military roles, requiring not only perfect diction but an extreme application of 'Oxford English'.

Performed as reader of audio books by Agatha Christie, Nevil Shute and Ruth Rendell.

Enjoyed a successful run on the London stage in a 1951 production of "My Fair Lady", as Professor Higgins. He reprised this role during a tour of Australia between 1959 and 1960.

Character actor, mostly in comic roles. Best-known in Britain as the contentious "Uncle Mort" in the BBC 1 series, I Didn't Know You Cared (1975).

Began in the postal service before becoming an amateur actor, turning professional in 1938 at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.

His sister Renee Bailey worked on BBC Radio's long-running serial The Archers (2007) as a recording engineer.

A cricket fanatic being a member of the MCC and Surrey. Loves watching the game but could never play it.

Father of Simon Bailey.