Michael Knowles (actor)


Michael Sydney Knowles is an English actor and scriptwriter. He is best known for his roles in BBC sitcoms written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Early life

Knowles attended Bemrose Grammar School for Boys, Derby , where he stayed on into the 6th form and played the lead role in the school’s production of Shakespeare's Henry V.

Career

Knowles is best known for his role as Captain Jonathan Ashwood in the 1970s sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum. He also played The Honourable Teddy Meldrum in the BBC comedy You Rang, M'Lord?, and starred in the sitcom Come Back Mrs Noah.
Knowles starred alongside Donald Hewlett in the BBC Radio sitcom Anything Legal in 1984.
Knowles did the voice of the Head of the Air Force in the animated movie The BFG, based on the novel by Roald Dahl for Cosgrove Hall. His television career started in 1969 with the role of Capt. Cutts in Dad's Army, a series he later adapted for radio. With Snoad, he wrote It Sticks Out Half a Mile, a radio sequel to Dad's Army. Together they also adapted It Sticks Out Half a Mile for television, with a pilot called Walking the Planks for the BBC in 1985. When nothing eventuated from that, they wrote a seven-part series for Yorkshire Television called High & Dry in 1987. He is also credited as one of the writers for Are You Being Served, appearing in two episodes.

Selected filmography

Film and television

Radio

Writing credits

Personal life

Knowles is married to actress Linda James. They have twin daughters.