Yes Minister star John Nettleton who played Sir Humphrey’s predecessor in the hit political satire dies aged 94
- John Nettleton, who played Sir Arnold Robinson in Yes Minister had died aged 94
Yes Minister star John Nettleton has died aged 94, his representatives have confirmed.
The actor was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in the political satire sitcom and in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, in the 1980s.
A statement from his agent, Scott Marshall Partners, said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor John Nettleton at the age of 94.
‘He is survived by his wife Deirdre, three children and five grandchildren.’
Nettleton’s character Sir Arnold had the role of Cabinet Secretary in the three series of Yes Minister before retiring and taking the job of President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in its sequel Yes, Prime Minister.
John Nettleton has died aged 94, who was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson (pictured) in the political satire sitcom Yes Minister has died aged 94
Born in London on February 5 1929, Nettleton’s television credits include another political role as a Conservative MP in the British sitcom The New Statesman
Sir Humphrey Appleby, who was mentored by Sir Arnold, became Cabinet Secretary in Yes, Prime Minister, after Jim Hacker – played by Paul Eddington – landed the top job as Prime Minister.
Nettleton is the latest actor to portray one of Yes Minister’s main characters to sadly die – after Paul Eddington, who played minister and later PM Jim Hacker died in 1995; Nigel Hawthorne, who played Sir Humphrey Appleby, died in 2001; and Derek Fowlds, who played principal private secretary Bernard Woolley, died in 2020.
Born in London on February 5 1929, Nettleton’s television credits include another political role as a Conservative MP in the British sitcom The New Statesman.
He also appeared in detective dramas Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War and long-running medical series Casualty.
Comedy dramas Kingdom and Brass are also among his show billings as well as 1987’s East Of Ipswich, which was written by Sir Michael Palin.
Nettleton also turned his hand to the world of theatre, featuring in numerous productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Old Vic.
His theatre work also includes Harley Granville-Barker’s The Voysey Inheritance and an adaptation of The Wind In The Willows at the National Theatre.
