We take a look at some of the bizarre, pathetic and downright ridiculous stories that have been published both in the media and online about Peter. So it’s time to settle down for some…

A short film produced by an individual or group skulking behind the name @VintageUncoveredyt

Those having their names dragged through the mud include Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole, Sid James, Oliver Reed, Bill Maynard(!) and Stewart Granger to name but a few.

Under the banner ‘PURE EVIL 15 British Celebrities of the 70s Who Scandalized the World!’, and lumped in with the likes of serial paedophile, Jimmy Saville, is our own Peter Wyngarde who, it claims, coerced, abused and generally drove his fellow actors, producers and directors to the point of suicide. All this, it’s claimed,, is “well-documented”. but given that none of these ‘documents’ are ever produced, we’re just expected to accept what they’re saying – and no doubt, so airheads will.

Needless to say, all these assertions are merely lies upon lies upon lies, made by people who are obscuring themselves behind a username, which is cowardly at best considering that none of the people targeted in these films are around to defend themselves.

Peter was greatly respected within the acting profession, with many of his fellow actors and producers singing his praises – both as an actor and man. Here are just a few of the quotes about him:

“I always felt that any success the show (Department ‘S’) had was due in no small part to Peter’s ability and imagination He was a fabulous actor and a good pal.” Joel Fabiani – Co-Star, Department S “I remember working with Peter was always fun – he is such a stylish actor. He was a true gentleman..” Dame Diana Rigg – Actress “Working with Peter was a scream – he’s such a hoot!” Felicity Kendal – Actress “He was funny and quick and bright. I think the professionals are professionals, and he’s one of those. He hasn’t any inflated idea’s about himself. He’s completely unpompous, and I didn’t find him the least bit phoney.” David Bailey – Photographer “Peter was always a very courteous man, easy to work with, and who behaved off screen with the same suave sophistication that some of his on-screen roles demanded.” Dennis Spooner – Producer, Department S/Jason King “Peter Wyngarde played Langdale Pike – a Victorian Nigel Dempster in ‘The Three Gables’, which opened the 1994 season of ‘The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes’. As always, Peter was distinguished by his rapier wit and style. A memorable performance.” June Wyndham-Davis – Producer, ‘The Three Gables’

The creators of this abomination should hang their heads in shame, ‘tho somehow I doubt they ever will!

---

Ev­ery­one who watched TV in the 1970s will have felt strangely nos­tal­gic hear­ing of the death of Peter Wyngarde who played the inim­itable sleuth Jason King. Nos­tal­gic for a time when men could get away with wear­ing trousers whose crotches were even tighter than the mas­sive knots around their neck. When males looked on in envy at a stun­ning mous­tache and side­burn com­bi­na­tion they could never hope to grow, and fe­males lusted over a hand­some devil they could never hope to at­tract due to his be­ing known in the busi­ness as Pe­tu­nia Winegum[1]. And nos­tal­gic for a time when hard-liv­ing ac­tors ut­tered lines like Wyngarde did, which came from a real place: “A bit too early for cof­fee… I think I’ll have Scotch.” RIP, you suave sod.”

Notes & Corrections

[1]: Even Wikipedia have finally accepted that this name was from a Two Ronnies sketch of early 70’s vintage! Will someone please tell that to the dozy lot on Fleet Street…!

Read more unadulterated drivel from The Mirror here.

In a recent half-page article about the 1980 cult classic, ‘Flash Gordon‘, that bastion of high quality journalism(!), The Daily Star, gleefully took the opportunity to have a dig at Peter who, as we all know, played villain General Klytus in the film:

‘You might not have seen the ac­tor un­der Gen­eral Kly­tus’ metal head as the com­man­der of Ming’s se­cret po­lice force, but Peter Wyn­garde was al­ready well known for play­ing nov­el­ist-turned de­tec­tive Ja­son King in 70s TV show Depart­ment S. His flam­boy­ant dress sense and stylish per­for­mances made him a fash­ion icon, and Mike My­ers cred­ited him with inspiring Austin Pow­ers.

Later on, di­rec­tor Matthew Vaughn wanted Wyn­garde for roles in two of his films – 2005’s Layer Cake[1] and 2011’s X-men: First Class[2] – but was wrongly told both times the ac­tor had died.

While Wyn­garde dated a string of women and called Vivien Leigh the love of his life, it was as­sumed in the act­ing com­mu­nity he was gay.[3]

He was ar­rested twice for gross in­de­cency in a pub­lic toi­let[4], one in­ci­dent in­volv­ing a lorry driver.

A re­formed al­co­holic[5], he was de­clared bank­rupt in the 80s and lived partly on ben­e­fits[6].

He died in hos­pi­tal in 2018 aged 90.’

Notes & Corrections

[1]: This one has been doing the rounds for years. I can only assume that Matthew Vaughn didn’t try very hard to find out about Peter, despite the fact that he had a London-based agent, and our Appreciation Society was active at that time should he have wished to contact Peter. Just doesn’t ring true. [2]: There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Peter was ever considered for a role in the 2011 film, ‘The X -Men’. {3]: Despite this supposed widespread knowledge no one, including Donald Spoto – the author who first made this claim in his 2008 book, ‘Otherwise Engaged: The Life of Alan Bates’ – has ever provided the name of a single actor, director, producer or, indeed, theatre concessions lady who has testified to this! [4]: There was one incident in Gloucester in 1975. The conviction, which was described by the Home Office as “unproven” – was quashed in April 2023 (see our News page). A second incident, which supposedly occurred in Birmingham in 1974, has been proven to be a complete lie perpetrated by Wikipedia (see here). [5}: Peter admitted to drinking heavily in the late 1970’s, but was never an “alcoholic.” [6]: The myth that Peter had claimed Social Security benefits in the 1980’s was first peddled in an article in the Belfast Newsletter on 25th November, 1982. This was latterly reprinted by the Daily Mirror. Peter never claimed benefits!

Recently found on Tik Tok – this cartload of seaming manure in slideshow form.

The person responsible for cobbling this together expects us to believe that they had privileged access to court documents from the notorious 1975 trial in Gloucestershire, as they claim to be in possession of the exact words used there and by whom. I saw the original transcripts when writing my book, ‘Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers‘ back in 2019, and I don’t recognise a single word quoted here!

We’re also informed that the only reason Peter was chosen to play General Klytus in ‘Flash Gordon’ was because his face could be covered with a mask! Really? I mean, REALLY?!

Sweet Jesus, will someone save us from this incessant rot!!!

@rewindclassicmovies

The incredible life of Peter Wyngarde Or at least a snippet. More of his story in the latest Fast Forward: Flash Gordon (1980) episode of the podcast. AI was used to create the first image. #FlashGordon1980 #QueerPioneer #PrideThroughTime #ReclaimTheNarrative #pride #fyp

♬ original sound – Rewind Classic Movies

Spotted by an eagle-eyed member of the Official Peter Wyngarde Appreciation Society

Peter Wyngarde was an English actor and writer, best known for his roles in British television during the 1960s and 1970s. One of his most iconic roles was that of the suave and charismatic character Jason King in the TV series Department S (1969-1970) and its spin-off Jason King (1971-1972). His portrayal of the character, a playboy investigator with a penchant for fashion, became quite iconic and cemented his place in pop culture.

Wyngarde was known for his striking looks and distinctive voice, and he had a unique presence on screen that made him memorable to audiences. His flamboyant persona in Jason King influenced the depiction of suave, stylish characters in later British TV and film.

Aside from his acting career, Peter Wyngarde’s personal life also attracted some attention, particularly his somewhat mysterious and reclusive nature. He had a complex and sometimes controversial life, and his career wasn’t always smooth, with some of his later years marked by struggles in the public eye{1].

Notes & Corrections

[1]: I knew Peter until the very end of his life. Indeed, I was with him when he passed away, but I wasn’t aware of any “struggles” he had “in the public eye.” Wherever do they get this stuff from?!

Peter Wyngarde’s wayward life exposes the true cost of being a ‘cult actor’

By Simon Heffer – The Telegraph: 18th May, 2025

The iconoclastic star of one of the most enjoyable TV series of the 1960s kept his most bizarre performance for real life

When one hears the words “cult actor”, one reacts with caution. Such performers tend to be either enigmatic or infuriating. The odd one, however, lives up to the ideal: being a true original, capable of creating something remarkable.

Peter Wyngarde who died in 2018, unequivocally falls into that category. His biography suggests he was far more bizarre than anyone he played on screen. Since Wyngarde was a serious fantasist, it is hard to pin down exactly who he was or from where he came. One of the few reliable claims he ever made was that he was “50 per cent vegetarian and 100 per cent bisexual”[1].

In the late 1960s, Wyngarde became hugely famous, in Britain at least. He starred in one of the most enjoyable television series of the era, Department S, and in its less-successful spin-off, Jason King named after the character he played. In an era of peacockery, he became a leader of fashion, at least for many provincials who seldom set foot in London to discern what was really going on.

It is thought that Wyngarde was born Cyril Goldbert in Marseille, in 1927[2], though he may have been born in Singapore. His claim that his father was a British diplomat is unsupported by any record, and his mother was not, as he insisted, related to a grand family in France[3]. His father was, in fact, a merchant seaman of Ukrainian heritage, his mother Eurasian.

Wyngarde was in the international settlement in Shanghai when the Japanese invaded in 1941, and he endured four brutal years in an internment camp. This is verified by the testimony of J G Ballard, who was interned alongside him. Wyngarde claimed never to have known Ballard; Ballard recalled him doing amateur dramatics in the camp.

What happened next is unclear. Most probably, Wyngarde, now 18, sailed to England on his liberation and arrived in Liverpool around Christmas 1945. Other accounts have him landing at Southampton, where he was met personally by King George VI; or checking into a Swiss sanatorium to recover his health. In any case, by the late 1940s, he was in England, calling himself Wyngarde, after his real father – Goldbert, he said, had been his stepfather[4]. In fact, Wyngarde senior, a luxury watch dealer[5] who lived in Belgravia, was a figment of the imagination.

Wyngarde managed to get some theatrical roles and from the mid-1950s was a regular on TV. His breakthrough was playing Peter the Painter in the 1960 film The Siege of Sidney Street, and he capitalised on this the following year, playing Peter Quint in The Innocents, an adaptation of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw.

Throughout the 1960s, Wyngarde was a favourite of Lew Grade’s production company ITC and appeared in several of its series – The Saint, The Champions, The Baron and The Prisoner. In 1968, he was given a starring vehicle of his own. Department S was about a unit of Interpol that solved cases no other police force could, thanks to the genius of Jason King – a novelist seconded to the department who used the cases as plots for his fiction.

Wyngarde stood out from his two co-stars, Joel Fabiani and Rosemary Nicols, not merely because of his flamboyant dress and the elaborate hair that made him unrecognisable from previous roles, but also because of his unflappable English-gentleman demeanour. Department S had superb scripts by writers such as Terry Nation and Philip Broadley; Wyngarde got all the best lines.

It ran for 28 episodes. Despite its excellence – or perhaps because of its peculiarly British humour – it did not sell in America, which spelt the end for any ITC production[6]. Yet, luckily for Wyngarde, Lady Grade loved his character, and persuaded her husband to make the spin-off series. Far more lightweight than Department S, and more cheaply made, Jason King saw Wyngarde become an ever-more comic turn. He also, in the words of Cyril Frankel, one of his directors, started to believe his own publicity[7], and became impossible to work with.

His prosecution for an indecent act at a bus station in 1975[8} helped derail a once brilliant career, though Wyngarde still found work from time to time until the 1990s[9]. His series are often shown on repeat channels, and if you want a taste of cult, they are unmissable.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: This ‘quote’ was taken directly from Wikipedia, who provide no source. {2}: Peter was born in 1928, not 1927. {3}: Peter wrote a short biography for the character of Jason King, that stated that his (Jason’s) mother was a French countess, but Peter didn’t claim that his own mother was from a “grand family”. [4]: Peter never, ever mentioned his father, Henry Goldbert ANYWHERE! [5]: Peter’s stepfather, Charles Juvet, dealt in antique clocks. He did not have any business buying and selling “luxury watches”. [6]: ‘Department S’ wasn’t cancelled because it “failed to sell” in the USA. 26 – 28 episodes were the general rule for ITC series. [7}: This line was lifted wholesale from a “obituary” posted on The Guardian website 3 days after Peter passed away in 2018 and which, despite being universally panned by the public and acting community alike, is still being relied upon by Wikipedia. [8}: This conviction was quashed by the Home Office in 2023. [9]: Peter worked constantly through the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. While not a direct attack on Peter which many newspaper journalists have been guilty of (Heffer does state how much he enjoyed watching ‘Department S’ etc.), it’s still just the same, time-worn tittle-tattle that should’ve been packed up and put on top of the wardrobe long ago. I wrote to Chris Evans – the Editor of The Telegraph with my opinion of the article, knowing full well that the chances of receiving any kind of a response was virtually nil. The ‘papers are happy to churn this stuff out day after day, but will never, ever admit when they’re wrong or being unfair. Dear Mr. Evans, I have just read Simon Heffer’s article about the late actor, Peter Wyngarde (The Daily Telegraph Website – 18th May, 2025). Perhaps Mr. Heffer should have consulted my biography, ‘Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers’, rather than rely on Wikipedia as a source, which is what most journalists appear to do these days.  Peter and I were soulmates for almost 30 years – from the late 1980’s until he died with me at his side in January 2018. As such, I found it insulting that Mr. Heffer should refer to Peter as a “fantasist’. He was not the only actor to embellish his early biographies – a practice often encouraged by theatrical agents. Marlon Brando, for instance, claimed he was born in Egypt when, in fact, he was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Errol Flynn insisted that he’d single-handedly sailed a small boat from Tasmania to the United States to become an actor. Jay Robinson, who so memorably played Emperor Caligula in both ‘The Robe’ and ‘Demetrius and the Gladiators’ insisted that he’d learned to act on the British stage, when in truth, he’d never set foot out of America! I could quote dozens more, so why has Peter been singled out here?   I took the decision to write my book in the hope that it would help dispel many of the myths and misinformation perpetrated by the press, online encyclopedias and Internet gossip forums. You can guarantee that the old chestnut about Peter’s arrest in 1975 will be wheeled out for another airing every time his name is mentioned This is despite the conviction being quashed by the Home Office in 2023. I would have thought that after half a century, journalists would’ve moved on from that, but evidently not.   I should have known when I read the title (‘Peter Wyngarde’s wayward life exposes the true cost of being a ‘cult actor’) that the likelihood of us getting something fresh and informative was basically zero. I suspect that even the Sentinelese Tribe of the Amazonian Rainforest have heard all this nonsense a thousand times before.    For the record, Peter was born on 28th August, 1928.   Sincerely,   Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins

The 70s dandy who inspired Austin Powers

Written by Warren Manager – Daily Mirror

A STYLE legend to the end, actor Peter Wyngarde was still laying down the law on fashion from his hospital bed in his final days. The Jason King star, whose medallionman dress sense ruled the 1970s and helped spawn Austin Powers, remained adamant that a shirt collar should always remain unbuttoned.

But beyond the sideburns, chest hair, lapels and moustache was the sharp mind of a former inmate of a Japanese prison camp whose life was as eventful as any of the shows he starred in.

After Peter died in January 2018, manager Thomas Bowington said: “Peter was one of the most unique, original and creative actors that I have ever seen.

“There were few things in life he didn’t know. I sometimes called him the King because he simply knew everything.

“He was a mentor on everything, from sports cars to how to make a good cup of tea and how to do a tie and shirt.

“Even in hospital he was saying that you shouldn’t button the upper button on a shirt. He was the most exceptional person I met in my life and a great mentor and teacher.”

Peter’s real name, the date and place of his birth and his parents’ nationalities and occupations are unclear.

But the most commonly accepted story is that he was born Cyril Goldbert at his aunt’s home in Marseilles in 1927[1].

His parents split and his dad – believed to have been a British diplomat – took him to Shanghai in 1937, months before war broke out between China and Japan[2].

Peter was imprisoned by the Japanese invaders aged 16[3] in 1943, possibly having been mistaken for his father, who was away working and had left Peter with a neighbouring Swiss family.

He once recalled: “I was herded into a truck for an internment camp for civilians about 40 miles outside Shanghai.

“All the other children were members of British families, but I was alone.”

He spent the rest of the war as a Japanese prisoner alongside novelist JG Ballard, who later wrote Empire of the Sun about their experiences.

Peter became a runner in the camp, passing news to inmates in neighbouring huts, until he was caught. As punishment a guard broke both his feet with a rifle butt and he had four weeks in solitary confinement. But he continued to pass on coded messages in plays staged in the prison canteen. He said: “The main character, Macbeth, was Churchill. “Some important news event, like the D-Day Landings, would become, ‘Our heroes have arrived among the Gauls and taken over Brittany.” At the end of the war he sailed to Liverpool, where the prisoners were welcomed home by King George VI, who shook Peter’s hand – and, he later claimed, pinned a medal on his chest.

The malnourished teen was sent to a sanatorium in Switzerland to recover. On his return he studied law at Oxford University for three months, before winning a place at RADA[4].

There he trained as an actor alongside Albert Finney, Peter O’Toole and Alan Bates – who became his flatmate.

One of his first small film roles put him alongside Bette Davis, who asked to see him between shoots[5]. He said: “She had a cigarette in a holder. From behind a huge plume of smoke I heard her snarl, “I hear you have a big c**k”. And with that, she handed me a note: ‘Be here at 8.30!’

“It had the address of her hotel and the room number. Apparently she went through every actor and technician under the age of 25 at the studio.”

Peter was in 1956 film Alexander the Great with Richard Burton, and in the 1960s appeared in The Avengers and The Saint. But his big break came in 1969[6] when he got the role of novelist-turned-detective Jason King in spy series Department S.

His character was written as a deskbound Oxford professor, but Peter had other ideas. He said: “I thought it was a bit dull.

“I had the bright idea of basing him on Ian Fleming. The clothes were sort of an extension of me. I’d go to the tailor with my designs. I was a bit of a peacock.”

His wide-lapelled three-piece suits, turned-back cuffs and matching shirt-and-tie combos helped inspire Mike Myers’ spoof spy Austin Powers.

Peter became a heart-throb and style-setter, once beating Cliff Richard and George Best to be crowned Britain’s best-dressed man.

Soon he was the star of his own spin-off show, Jason King, with love interests played by actresses including Kate O’Mara, Felicity Kendal and Stephanie Beacham.

Peter said of them: “They were the television equivalent of a Bond girl.”

He told how he “fell in love with” Felicity on her first day, saying: “She is and was one of the most attractive things around.”

He enjoyed a brief music career, but his 1970 spoken-word album When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head[7], including a single entitled Rape, was branded “inappropriate” and withdrawn from sale after four days[8]. It did not dent his popularity, though, and in Australia he was mobbed by 30,000 female fans at Sydney Airport.

But Peter’s career was destroyed after he was convicted of “gross indecency” with a lorry driver in the toilets of Gloucester bus station in 1975.[8]

Married to actress Dorinda Stevens for three years[9] in the 1950s, Peter said he was straight and denied claims of a relationship with Alan Bates. He said: “I’ve never had any doubt about my sexuality. I’m mad about women.”

But he disappeared from television and battled alcoholism, admitting later: “I drank myself to a standstill.”

After quitting booze he made a comeback in the 1980s, in Doctor Who: The Planet of Fire, and as General Klytus in Flash Gordon.

Manager Mr Bowington said the star continued working until the end and had several roles and appearances lined up before he passed away.

But he never returned to the peak of his powers, and said his career was ruined by “small-minded people”.

He died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Central London having been ill for several months – an uncharacteristically ordinary end to a most extraordinary life.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: Peter was born in 1928, not 1927. {2]: His father was in the British Merchant Navy, not a diplomat. [3]: Peter was 15 when he was interned by the Japanese, not 16. [4}: Peter didn’t go to RADA – preferring to learn his craft in reparatory theatre. [5]: He never acted with Bette Davis. The incident referred to happened in a studio restaurant, where he was working on one production and Davis on another. [6]: Peter was already a star of stage and screen when he took the role of Jason King in ‘Department S’. [7]: His album was self-titled. ‘When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head‘ was the title of the CD re-release. [8]: Peter’s career was not “destroyed”. He was to work constantly in film, TV and theatre throughout the late 1970’s until the mid-1990’s. [9]: He was married to Dorinda Stevens for 5 years, not 3.

One fruitcake story that was recited by a wannabe actor some years ago and which resurfaced again recently concerned a supposed incident that was said to have occurred during the filming of the ‘Jason King’ episode, ‘A Kiss For A Beautiful Killer’. The scene in question involved Peter as Jason King, Kate O’Mara as Delphi and Maurice Roëves as Riguera – all three of whom a hiding behind a parked car to avoid the attentions of a gunman.

The story goes that Peter who, it’s claimed, was crouching behind Roëves, had whispered into his fellow thesp’s ear, “I could easily f*ck you from this position!”, to which Roëves allegedly replied: “If you so much as touch me, I’ll knock you out !”

As can be seen from the image below, which was taken during filming of the episode, Peter was clearly situated behind Kate O’Mara, NOT Maurice Roëves, so unless Ms. O’Mara was to be utilised as some sort of prophylactic, it’s not clear how this act was meant to be accomplished.

From Yahoo Entertainment: 19th July, 2024. Written by Steve O’Brien (freelance film, TV and music journalist).

‘The Enigmatic And Scandalous Life Of 1970s Heartthrob Peter Wyngarde‘.

In the early 1970s there were few TV stars bigger than Peter Wyngarde. Once named Britain’s best-dressed male, it’s said that, after arriving in Australia one time, he was mobbed by 30,000 screaming women.

According to his manager[1], he was, after Morecambe & Wise, “the most requested and highest paid celebrity” for personal appearances. And so popular was his TV character Jason King that it was reported that, by 1971, “more babies [had been] christened Jason during the last 12 months than ever before”.

By all accounts, he should have been a movie star of epic proportions by the 80s. But a cursory look at Peter Wyngarde’s IMDb page[2] after Jason King shows that his once stellar career appeared to falter in the late 70s.

Television appearances were few and far between, and mostly one-off guest turns, while his role in 1980’s Flash Gordon film — as Klytus, the head of Ming the Merciless’ secret police — had him hidden behind a metal mask. Work, it seemed, was so scarce that by 1982 he was living on social security[3].

At his height, however, Wyngarde — and Jason King — epitomised transatlantic glamour. It wasn’t for nothing that the actor was once declared Britain’s best-dressed male personality. King’s sartorial style was out-there, even for 1970, and that Zapata-styled moustache and those velvet smoking jackets and plum-hued shirts would clearly feed, many years later, into the look of Mike Myers’ extravagantly-attired Austin Powers.

In Department S and then its spinoff Jason King, Wyngarde was playing a character (in both shows he’s a bestselling author turned jet-setting sleuth) that was lusted after by women and hero-worshipped by men.

For someone synonymous with globetrotting savoir-faire, then, it seemed a cruel irony that his career was torpedoed by an incident in the gents toilets of Gloucester Bus Station.

Peter Wyngarde never addressed his sexuality at the peak of his fame[4]. If anything, he played up his supposed womanising. “Why has no woman ever been finally able to tame you?”the actor was asked in 1973 by chat show host Russell Harty. “It did happen once, a long time ago,” Wyngarde replied, “but I have great choice, great variety.”

Homosexuality may have been partly legalised by 1975, but cottaging (ie: cruising for sex in public lavatories) was a practice still pounced on by the police. In the October of that year, Wyngarde was prosecuted under his real name, Cyril Goldbert, for gross indecency. He pleaded guilty[5], although his solicitor told the judge it was a “mental aberration” brought on by excessive drinking. Wyngarde was convicted and fined £75.

He had been married, briefly in the early 50s, to actress Dorinda Stevens. However, the author Donald Spoto claimed in his biography of the actor Alan Bates that Bates and Wyngarde were in a relationship[6] when the two flat shared in the 1960s. In later years, he would describe himself as “50% vegetarian, 100% bisexual.”

In the illiberal 70s, however, Wyngarde’s conviction, and all that that revealed about his private life, crushed his career, certainly on the small screen. TV and film appearances were sporadic in the years after, a Two Ronnies sketch here, a guest role in Doctor Who there.

It was all a far cry from the 1960s when he made such a scorching impression in the horror classic The Innocents as the spectral Peter Quint, or his memorably louche turn as No.2 in the Prisoner episode Checkmate. His name is attached to some of the 60s’ most fashionable TV shows, from The Avengers to The Champions to The Baron, and he was always a scene-stealer, often bringing something deliciously offbeat and seductive into the mix. Future Smiths vocalist Morrissey became such a fan during this period, that, decades later, he sought out his one-time hero.

“[His flat is] an Edwardian warren of clerical ferocity,” Morrissey wrote in his autobiography, “a tornado of books and papers and swelling pyramids of typescripts, half-finished, half-begun. His voice is still of great clarity and sound, his eyes unchanged since that period known as his prime.”

Wyngarde remained bitter that his career had been stifled by “small minded people” as he called them, and, though film and TV roles were rare, he occasionally popped up on chat shows (he was interviewed by Simon Dee on a one-off revival of dee Time in 2002).

He was always a droll and thrillingly indiscreet guest[7], though rarely revealed much about himself. It was only when the obituaries were written after his death in 2018 that most of us found out quite how unreliable he was about his own life[8].

Rarely have obituarists had to reach for words like ‘reportedly’, ‘probably’ and ‘allegedly’ with such frequency, so incomplete was his official history. Wyngarde claimed not to know his real age, and always insisted he was born in Marseille, yet his death certificate names his place of birth as Singapore[9].

And the man he claimed was his father — a diplomat named Henry Wyngarde — doesn’t appear to have ever existed. Similarly, there’s no record of Peter at the University of Oxford, despite the actor stating in various interviews that he studied Law there.

Peter Wyngarde’s TV career may have fizzled out in the late 70s, but in many ways he never stopped performing. Interviewed by author Ray Connolly in 1973, the actor said: “As a child it was difficult to differentiate sometimes between fact and fantasy.”

Jason King may be the part he will forever be associated with but the richest and weirdest and most enigmatic role Peter Wyngarde ever played was probably himself.

Notes & Corrections

Response: In a photo caption, Mr. O’Brien states the following: “Peter Wyngarde withdrew from the public eye in his later life”. I would hardly call appearing in several television documentaries, guesting at the British Film Institute and BAFTA, and attending numerous film and TV conventions in London, the Midlands and Wales in front of thousands of people withdrawing from the public eye! We attempted to contact Mr. O’Brien, both by email and via X (where he was boasting about publishing this rubbish), but he has so far declined to respond. The list of Notes and Corrections (see below) were sent to him, but like the vast number of journos, they dump this crap on people’s doorsteps and then ride off into the sunset without looking back to see the damage they’re doing. [1]: This quote comes from Carl Gresham – Proprietor of Greshstyle Personal Appearances and Carl Gresham Promotions. He was never Peter’s manager. [2]: The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) does not list theatre or radio work, and so does not give a complete picture of Peter’s work during the time referenced. [3]: Taken directly from Wikipedia. Absolutely no proof of this. [4]: Peter spoke numerously in interviews about his relationships with women during the 1970’s. [5]: He did not “plead guilty”. [6]: Proved repeatedly via this website, and in the book ‘Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers‘ that Donald Spoto was incorrect on many of his claims about Peter. [7]: It is not clear what the author of this piece means by “indiscreet”. [8]: The “unreliability” referred to here has been created by decades of tabloid misinformation and Wikipedia’s reliance on those same newspapers as an indisputable source. [9]: The author does not state where or how he/she witnessed Peter’s birth certificate.

Lurid Grooviness

Written by Mark Steyn. Published on his website: ‘The Mark Steyn Club – https://www.steynonline.com/ – January 27, 2018

Peter Wyngarde, who died in his nineties a few days ago, was a bona fide star only for a few years, as the Sixties turned to the Seventies[1]. But his animal sideburns, extravagant moustache, and jaunty cravats nestling in thickets of chest hair cast long and hirsute shadows: He was the principal inspiration for Mike Myers’ big-screen creation Austin Powers, “International Man of Mystery” – although Austin eschewed, alas, the moustache.

One suspects this omission by Myers was at the insistence of the Hollywood execs, possibly after focus groups. Wyngarde’s TV show “Jason King” and its predecessor “Department S” were produced by Lew Grade’s ITC[2] and were reliable fixtures in telly schedules around the Commonwealth and Continental Europe, but, unlike “The Saint”, “Danger Man” and other ITC exports, the moustachioed King never quite caught on in America. Which, on balance, was probably an advantage: Myers was making a personal hommage to someone most of his audience had never heard of – which helped it become something in its own right.

Austin Powers was generally regarded as a parody of James Bond, of which there are many. At the end of the Sixties, “Jason King” took the already wearisome Bond derivatives to the next level: the character was loosely based on 007’s author, Ian Fleming, and conceived for a series in which a writer of spy novels also has glamorous adventures of international intrigue in his real life, as Fleming did. Whenever the script had cause to mention one of Jason King’s supposed bestsellers, Dennis Spooner and Monty Berman (who between them wrote “The Saint”, “The Avengers”, “Thunderbirds”[3], “Doctor Who”[4], etc) gave the books Ian Fleming-type titles, sometimes quite cleverly (Index Finger Left Hand), sometimes rather more clumsily (To China, Yours Sincerely). Like Fleming, Jason King was successful enough to have been forced into tax exile: when an Interpol agent requires King to fly in to London to meet with someone or other, Jason responds somewhat snootily that the Inland Revenue will only permit him into Britain for 36 hours but drawls helpfully, “On your salary you wouldn’t have the same problem.”

I don’t know who Spooner and Berman originally had in mind for their Flemingesque author-adventurer, but I can’t believe it was ever Peter Wyngarde[5]. Fleming favored classic style; Wyngarde was all the most luridly fab gear of a very narrow cultural moment: Jermyn Street vs Carnaby Street after it’s fallen into a vat of LSD. And yet he somehow carried off the ruffled cuffs and chest medallions and tie knots you could park a truck on in a way I can’t quite imagine anybody else managing. It was, as the British say, naff, but oddly mesmerizing and seductive – and not just to Mike Myers. When the BBC’s “Top Gear” crew did their parody of ITC telly capers – “The Interceptors” – you can see why Jeremy Clarkson would enjoy availing himself of the opportunity to be “Jason Clarkson”.

Jason King made his debut in Lew Grade’s “Department S”, which was artfully contrived in the spirit of the times: The head of the department was a black man, Sir Curtis Seretse; the girl was the brains; and, to assist with selling the show to a US network, there was an ex-FBI guy[6]. The American chappie did most of the running around and hand-to-hand combat, while Jason was an effete dandy who got floored by the bad guys as often as not. Yet he always wound up getting the girl, even though he was for the most part entirely indifferent to them[7]. So eventually they spun off Jason into his own show, with a terrific Laurie Johnson theme tune (second only to his music for “The Avengers”), and no one missed any of the other characters.

On the matter of that palpable indifference to the totty[!?}, many years after his celebrity I briefly met Peter Wyngarde at a first-night party, and we chatted in a corner of the room with another celebrated British actor, a dashing hunk then getting the girl (and a highly valued specimen thereof) every week on UK TV. By that stage of the evening, they were a couple of tipsy old queens[8] gleefully dishing on others scattered around the party and in full what-is-she-wearing? mode. I was surprised to discover the other fellow’s tastes (I don’t believe he’s “out” even today), but with Wyngarde I couldn’t honestly claim to be stunned orientation-wise. Here he is in one of his Jason King outfits:Yes, I know it was the Seventies, and not many of us could carry off that much leather, and it may even be of practical benefit when you’re dressing for an international espionage mission involving surreptitious entry to secure facilities in the dead of night, but even so…

I see that Sir Patrick Wright’s newly published diaries report Mrs Thatcher’s “controversial” views on Germans, Vietnamese boat people, etc, but also note that she disliked men with moustaches because they “look like hairdressers”. Hmm. (Full disclosure: She was antipathetic to beards, and declined to make an exception for mine.) At any rate, among the stately homos[9] of British Equity, Peter Wyngarde was known affectionately as Petunia Winegum[10]. On-air as Jason King, he declined local law enforcement’s complimentary plane ticket to get out of town that night on the grounds that he never flew economy. Off-air this paragon of style and luxury was arrested for gross indecency with a crane operator in the gentlemen’s toilets at Gloucester bus station[11].

Petunia Winegum is as likely a real name for Peter Wyngarde as anything else. As much of an “international man of mystery” as Jason King was, in real life Wyngarde was more so. He claimed to have been born Peter Wyngarde to an English father and French mother in Marseilles in 1933. His pop was in His Majesty’s diplomatic service, and on his ma’s side he was the nephew of Louis Jouvet, the actor-director and close collaborator of Jean Giraudoux.

On the other hand, the evidence suggests he was born up to a decade earlier, in Singapore, under the name Cyril Goldbert. His mum was a Eurasian, who split, and he and his dad wound up in Shanghai, until the Japanese invaded and stuck the boy in their internment camp at Lunghua.

There is no proof he ever met Louis Jouvet[12], but J G Ballard, author of Crash and Empire of the Sun, claims to have known “Peter Wyngarde” as Cyril Goldbert in that Japanese camp and his posthumous memoir provides as much detail of his early life as we’re likely to know. He was now without family – whether British diplomats, French thespians, or Eurasian bolters – and lived for the camp’s theatrical shows, sometimes taking all the roles, as he did in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Ballard writes:

He lived with another family in G Block and amused everyone with his fey and extravagant manner. Theatre was his entire world, and he played adult roles in the camp Shakespeare productions, completely dominating the bank managers and company directors who struggled to keep up with him. He was four years older than me, and very witty company, with a sophisticated patter I had rarely come across. He had never been to England, but seemed to be on first-name terms with half of Shaftesbury Avenue, and was a mine of insider gossip about the London theatre.

Ballard’s mother adored him, notwithstanding her dislike of homosexuals[13], and to the end of her days would always sigh, “Oh, Cyril…” when she saw “Peter Wyngarde” on television. “Four years older than me” would make Wyngarde born not in 1933 but 1926[14], which to be honest seems more consistent with how he looked in “Jason King”: Under that helmet hair and ‘tache and ‘burns, the visible bits of face seemed quite creased. But perhaps that was the Japanese internment camp. Even then, as a teenage boy, Cyril Goldbert was planning his reinvention. Ballard again:

I once strolled with Cyril through some ruined buildings on the outskirts of the camp, listening to him set out his plans for his conquest of the West End. He tore a piece of charcoal from a burnt roof beam, and with a flourish drew on the wall what he said would be his stage name once he returned to England: Laurence Templeton. A name wonderfully of its time, and far grander than Peter Wyngarde.

Wyngarde denied having ever known J G Ballard in the camp at Lunghua[15]. Almost immediately after the war, in 1945, an 18-year-old passenger called Cyril Goldbert sailed from Shanghai to Southampton. And, upon disembarkation, “Cyril Goldbert” ceased to exist. During the Obama years, the smart set mocked “birther” conspiracies, but, in fact, there are many people who genuinely do not know where or when they were born (the late Peter O’Toole was one). And there are others for whom it has ceased to matter – Marseilles or Singapore, French or Eurasian, diplomat or chancer, all are gone, mother, father, siblings. And all that remains is an abandoned boy in a Japanese prison camp who discovers that the veneer of wit and charm can take you an awful long way. Not to A-list stardom but to “The Saint” and “The Avengers”, a memorable cameo in Flash Gordon, and a leading role of almost ludicrous grooviness – and a long life lived as an entirely self-invented character. J G Ballard recalled the last time he saw his fellow camp inmate:

I saw him in St James’s Park, camel-hair coat stylishly slung over an elegant suit, a tilted homburg and dazzling teeth. I started to speak to him but he cut me dead.

Notes & Corrections

Response: The usual dredged-up-from-the-internet drivel. Why are journalists incapable of producing something new and fresh, rather than regurgitating stuff from fifty-odd years ago and attempting to bestow it upon us as if it’s news? I bet even the peoples’ of The Sentinelese – the most secluded tribe in the Amazonian Rainforest – have heard this trash a hundred times over by now, and yet there’s always someone else who is desperate to give it another airing. This was published within days of Peter’s passing in 2018, and while Mr. Steyn attempts to pass it off as some kind of tribute, he couldn’t help but lace it with venom. Very sad. [1]: Peter had been a star of theatre and television from the mid-1950’s onwards. He’d received more fan mail for his portrayal of Sidney Carton in ‘A Tale of Two Cities‘ in 1957, and won several awards for his acting on stage in the West End and on Broadway. [2]: Scoton produced ‘Department S’ and ‘Jason King’, not ITC. [3}: Monty Berman did not write any episodes of ‘Thunderbirds’. [4] Monty Berman did not write any episodes of ‘Doctor Who’. [5]: Peter was, in fact, Berman and Spooner’s first choice for the role of Jason King. [6]: There was never any suggestion in ‘Department S’ that Joel Fabiani’s character, Stewart Sullivan, was a former FBI man. [7]: Jason King was never “indifferent” to the ladies, either in ‘Department S’ or ‘Jason King. Mr. Steyn has clearly never watched a single episode of either series or he’d have been aware of this. [8]: Unless Mr. Styne was privy to the two men’s conversation, this statement is both insulting and speculative. For the record, Peter didn’t drink alcohol at all from 1980 onwards, so it’s highly unlikely that he was “tipsy”. [9]: Peter was not a “homo” – “stately” or otherwise! [10]: It was claimed by Donald Spoto – author of ‘Otherwise Engaged – The Life of Alan Bates’ (2007) – that Peter was well-known within the acting fraternity from the “late 1950’s” as ‘Pertunia Winegum’. This is incorrect. The name was coined by actor, Roy Kinnear, in 1966 (as confirmed by Dame Diana Rigg), and latterly used by comedy duo, The Two Ronnies, in a sketch show in the early 1970’s. [11]: This prosecution was annulled by the Home Office in March 2023 – see here. [12]: Absence of proof is not proof of absence! Perhaps Peter should’ve had the foresight to get a photograph taken of him and his uncle together in the event that some random journo might require evidence in the future. [13]: See [8], above. [14]: Peter was not born in 1926. [15]: Peter denied until his death ever knowingly meeting J.G. Ballard – see here. N.B. Mr. Steyn currently charges $160.00 annually (or $45.00 per month for 3 months) to become a member of his online club, and to gain access to his previous articles. Anyone?…. Anyone??…

Serial offender, The Daily Mail, has once again been hauled over the coals for their inaccurate reporting. In just one six-line paragraph about Peter, the paper managed to get no fewer than FOUR facts about him wrong. Indeed, apart from the words ‘the’, ‘if’ and ‘but’, the remainder was a masterclass in misreporting.

An email was promptly dispatched to ‘paper, which always seems to excel when it comes to inaccurate stories about Peter, highlighting all that was wrong with their article. Within less than 12 hours, we were to receive the following in reply:

Later confirmed…

From Antiques Trades Gazette and The Art Market Weekly

Sense of occasion suits the Peter Wyngarde estate sale perfectly

Peter Wyngarde would surely have appreciated the drama that accompanied the auction of his estate – held with the country in the grip of coronavirus.

The flamboyant actor’s collection was offered at East Bristol Auctions on March 26, with more than 350 lots from his estate, comprised of items from his private residence in Kensington, as well as props and costumes from a long career.

Auctioneer Andy Stowe said: “The rostrum was my dining room table, with the dog asleep at my feet. I was operating the software entirely myself, which was surprisingly easy. I felt more like a Youtuber than an auctioneer, but it was a really great experience – and one I’m sure we’ll be repeating soon. We had lots of new bidders in this auction, and the feedback we’ve had has been completely lovely.

“Both our sales last week were actually fantastic – which is wonderful given the circumstances.”

Wyngarde (1927[1] -2018) appeared in most 1960s-70s ‘cult’ programmes including Doctor Who[2] and The Avengers and took leading roles in his own shows Jason King and Department S.

He later went through difficult times in his life but the fondness with which he must be regarded was obvious from the interest from bidders, with a white-glove sell-out auction resulting. Stowe added: “We had lots of celebrity interest in this sale with several of the buyers being well-known presenters, actors and pop stars. It had an amazing celebrity reaction on social media.”

Highlights included a guitar signed by his good friend Freddie Mercury[3] (which sold for £720), several of his trademark sunglasses and silk handkerchiefs, as well as items he collected and displayed in his apartment. These include several autographs from people he admired[4] – most notably Clark Gable and Tony Hancock – as well as his collection of taxidermy[5] and artwork.

Concert posters for some of the earliest appearances by well-known bands have taken keen interest from bidders in recent months (such as our Pick of the Week in ATG No 2435, a poster advertising an early gig by The Who at the short-lived Blue Moon club in Cheltenham, sold for £11,500 at Gardiner Houlgate’s auction).

Sold at a mid-estimate £2200 to a Beatles collector as part of the Wyngarde auction was an original 1960s Beatles poster, from their concert at the Abergavenny Town Hall Ballroom on June 22, 1963. It measured 2ft 5in x 20in (74 x 50cm) and was printed by Arthurs Press Ltd, Stroud. Wyngarde was an acquaintance of the band[6].

One of the best sellers was an item highly appropriate given Wyngarde’s sartorial elegance: his original John Stephen Fashion Award ‘Best Dressed Personality’ hallmarked silver trophy. The trophy in the form of Beau Brummell, complete with monocle and top hat, has hallmarks for Carrington & Co, London, 1970.

The (39cm) tall award was given to Wyngarde in the summer of 1970 by Miss Radio Luxembourg. The votes for him, cast by listeners of Radio Luxembourg and readers of FAB 208 (a magazine), were far in excess of his rivals Cliff Richard and footballing legend George Best. Photographs of Wyngarde with the award have featured in many publications.

Stowe described it as “probably the best piece of Wyngarde memorabilia in the sale”. Estimated at £300-500, it sold for £2200.

Wyngarde’s love of fashion included an array of 1960s-70s garments which can be viewed as gorgeous or ghastly depending on your viewpoint. The buyer of this snakeskin jacket was certainly delighted. Stowe said: “He is a a huge fan and UK collector – he is very happy with his purchase, and will be proudly displaying it in his living room (he got in touch with me on Twitter!).”

The original screen matched prop/costume snakeskin jacket was worn by Wyngarde for Department S (1969) and Jason King (1971). It had no maker’s label and was probably custom-made for the actor. Included in the lot, estimated at £200-300, was an original vintage publicity photograph showing Wyngarde in this very jacket.It sold for £880.

Another high price came for a pair of screen matched sunglasses, as worn by Peter Wyngarde as Jason King in both Department S and Jason King.

This a pair of Oliver Goldsmith glasses, with lightly tinted lenses and distinctive inlaid stars to each arm, was worn by Wyngarde in several episodes of the series, as well as his personal life. They featured prominently in several episodes including A Deadly Line In Digits (as part of King’s disguise), and are first seen in the Department S episode The Trojan Tanker.

Estimated at £80-120, the glasses sold for £700. Stowe said: “These were the most iconic pair of glasses we had from Wyngarde – they appeared in lots of episodes of Department S and Jason King, as well as loads of publicity photos. I was surprised they went for so much, but not surprised they got that much interest.”

Notes & Corrections

[1]: Peter was born in 1928, NOT 1927. [2]: Peter didn’t appear in ‘Doctor Who’ during the 1960’s. He did, however, play Timanov in the three-part Dr. Who episode, ‘Planet of Fire‘, but that was in 1985. [3]: Peter never so much as met Freddie Mercury, so could hardly be described as a “close friend”. [4]: Peter didn’t collect autographs, and certainly didn’t “admire” Clarke Gable or Tony Hancock! [5]: Peter didn’t collect taxidermy!!! [6]: He wasn’t an acquaintance of The Beatles; never mentioned them. Never met them.

Warren Manger – Features Writer, The Mirror

How Peter Wyngarde went from a Japanese prison camp to 70s style icon who refused to button his shirt collar. Beyond the sideburns, chest hair, lapels and moustache was the sharp mind of a former inmate of a Japanese prison camp whose life was as eventful as any of the shows he starred in.

Notes & Corrections

It was his shirt cuffs that Peter was known to leave unbuttoned, not his collar!

Taken from the Jewish Chronicle. Witten by Daniel Sugerman.

Evidence suggests that Mr Wyngarde’s original name was Cyril Goldbert. Having apparently spent most of his childhood in the Far East, he arrived in the UK in the 1940s, where his next of kin and UK contact was listed as Mr H Goldbert.

Henry Goldbert was a Russian-Jew who had become a naturalised British citizen while living in Singapore. According to some opinions, Henry Goldbert was Peter Wyngarde’s father.

Notes & Corrections

Response: Another load of trollop cut and pasted from Wikipedia! Peter’s father was actually born in Ukraine, NOT Russia, and was a Roman Catholic, NOT Jewish!

The Daily Mail managed to get it wrong yet AGAIN in this mention of Peter on his birthday. Without bothering to do any kind of genuine research, save for a cursory glance on Wikipedia – that indisputable font of all knowledge (not!) – what was intended to be a small tribute by Etan Smallman and Adam Jacot De Boimod, ended up being just another slap in the face. As ever, the Alan Bates myth was wheeled out for another airing, and God alone knows where they dug up the “groovy baby” phrase, as Jason King never, EVER said any such thing!

Fans Comments:

Chris Eccleston: I doubt the UK public will ever forget how Christopher Jefferies was treated by the press following the murder of Joanna Yeates in 2010. While Peter Wyngarde was never a murder suspect or treated as such by the media, he was a victim of tabloid hysteria and ultimately tried and found by them before ever reaching a courtroom. It was the same old ‘Build ’em up, knock ’em down’ mentality that has pervaded the British Press for decades.

Gary Powell: It’s popular belief that Fake News is a modern phenomenon but it’s not. The national press has been producing fake news for decades.

Iain Ainsworth: As per my comment about the Gavin Gaughan issue [see previous post], there really should be an enquiry into why the printed media are being allowed to peddle such blatant lies to the public. I’m sure that many people will say, “Oh, it’s just a throwaway comment about an actor, where’s the damage” but, for me, it’s just the thin end of the wedge. Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins has identified lists of errors and false information that has been published about Peter Wyngarde that has led to some utterly dreadful myths growing up around him. This is just one example. What purpose does the press serve if it can’t get even the most basic facts right?

Sam Laughlan: If most of us were as bad at our jobs as these journalists are at theirs, we’d all be signing on by now. They’re just lazy b******s who are too bloody idle to find out whether what they’re dredging up from the Internet is actually true.

Pat Davis: The frighting thing is about newspapers is that there are so many people who actually believe everything they’re reading.

Tony Peers: They really are so predictable. Why say something positive when you can stick the knife in just as easily. There’s no Brownie points these days in showing a bit of decency or respect.

That said, I do wish people would actually take the trouble to enquire whether something is true or not before repeating it. You would think that, having been the victim of some horrendous online abuse and spiteful tittle-tattle himself over the years, Reverend Cole would apply a little more caution before throwing someone else under the bus.

Update: Since posting the above in August 2022, Reverend Coles has written numerously on his Twitter/X feed but, sadly, chose neither to remove his silly post about Peter, or acknowledge my message. It’s sad that he doesn’t appear willing to practice what he preaches.

Fans Comments…

Susan McFadden: What a horrible person !!!!

Diane Brierly: Bloody MORON!!!

Jane Ramsden: I just met Richard Coles at Bradford Literature Festival and he was such a sensible & sensitive person that I think he must have received this misinformation the same way so many have, as Tina has explained. And if he’s only just learnt this extremely old ‘news,’ he’s hardly scandal mongering. It’s just so tired and, as Tina so succinctly puts it, b******s! Lol.

Billy Casper: So bloody what? Peter was one of the great actors and defied any pigeon holing.

Sharon Kennedy: That’s dreadful not nice at all  people should just zip it.

So I continue to regard Peter as a charmer who is good with the ladies. I honestly don’t care about his private life. I care that Peter left my fiancee and I with wonderful memories of a very special moment that we still talk about and laugh over to this day.

Bob Moricz: Ugh!

Ian Kelland: I very much doubt that his friends would have called him anything of the kind!

Paul Mead: Petunia Winegum originated from a comedy sketch, it happened regularly in the 70s to famous TV actors.

Taken from “Britain’s best-loved TV couple’s” column in the Daily Express (the couple being Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, if you were thinking this was referring to Ant and Dec!)

Fans Comments…

Lee Radnor: I’m stunned that this man is still being paid to appear on TV and to write for a national newspaper. He is a toe-curling embarrassment and well past his sell by date.

Angie Johnson: If Richard Madeley had a brain he’d be dangerous.

Taken from Record Collector magazine

In his retrospective of Peter’s self-titled album, Freek Kinkelaar, tells Record Collector magazine readers the following: “The album is, in some ways, the perfect epitaph for Wyngarde himself, who wasn’t unfamiliar with the dark side. Battling with a life long addiction to alcohol, he was as outrageous, crass, and perversely charming as this album.”

Notes & Corrections

[1]: As with most journos that make these kind of comments, they never back up their assertions and, not unsurprisingly, Mr Kinkelaar doesn’t bother to elaborate on what this supposed “dark side” is meant to be. This makes Peter sound as if he was dabbling in Satanism or some such. Another load of drivel to add to the ever-expanding chronicles of crap from the press. [2]: Peter was never known as a ‘heavy drinker’ in his youngers days, and really only began to drink more frequently from the mid-Seventies until 1980 when, apart from a glass of Port on New Year’s Eve, he never touched a drop. How this constitutes having a “life long addition to alcohol” is something that exists only in Mr Kinkelaar’s “crass” mind.

Fans Comments…

Eddie Cunningham: Being a complete idiot obviously comes with the job.

J. Davies: Typical thick journo looking for an angle. You’d think they’d actually do some research before writing an article.

Mike L: Do research? He probably wouldn’t be able to find his own arse with both hands and a map let alone get up off it to actually speak to someone who knew Wyngarde. Probably his idea of research is consulting Wikipedia.

A curious take on Peter’s heritage from Richard von Busak in his review of ‘The Innocents’ in Silicone Valley-based newspaper, Metro.

“The lickerish ghost Quint, played by a conventional Celtic brooder named Peter Wyngarde, floats up behind a window in front of a statue of Pan. It is just like having an actor cast as Satan turn up wearing a cape and a tuxedo.”

“Conventional?”… “CELTIC?!” As my Gaelic-speaking granddad might say, “níor léigh mé amaidí mar sin riamh!”

Despite boasting of being a purveyor of “Quality journalism”, The Daily Mail is yet to get a single thing right about Peter – which includes his name!

In an article entitled ‘Walking on the Wilde side’, that moth-eaten old tale a la Gloucester was wheeled out for yet ANOTHER airing… Zzzzzzzzzzzzz, along with the following: “Bad enough, you might think, but what really caused his fan base to desert him wasn’t his sexual misconduct, but the revelation in court of his real name: Cyril Lovis Goldbert.”

Actually, Peter’s middle-name was LoUis, not LoVis.

Does anyone at this ‘paper do any research before publishing? Evidently not!

Fans Comments…

Irene Cussans: I think a prerequisite of working in journalism these days is that you need to be an absolute moron.

Taken from the ‘Aangirfan’ anonymous blog

It’s not surprising that this blogger has chosen to remain anonymous given the amount of misinformation they’ve posted about Peter. While I thought I’d read just about every ridiculous myth and outrageous lie about our man over the years, this one really does take the cake.

Peter’s father was NOT Russian, nor Jewish. He was, in fact, a Roman Catholic – born in the Ukraine to British-Ukrainian parents. And he definitely was NOT a spy! He was a Second Engineer in the British Merchant Navy! Where in the name of God do they get this rubbish from?!

Fans Comments…

Sam Laughlan: There really are some sad, laughable people out there.

The Daily Mail – Monday, 23rd August, 2021 by Etan Smallman and Adam Jacot De Boinod

Peter Wyngarde (1927 – 2018). The British actor made his name as sleuth Jason King in the series Department S. The character’s use of the phrase, “groovy, baby” inspired the Austin Powers films. Wyngarde, who had an affair with actor Alan Bates, was interned in a Japanese civilian camp in Word War II.

Notes & Corrections

Response: Looks like the Mail’s journos have been on the brown ale all night! We’ve all heard the Alan Bates claptrap a million times before, but I can’t for the life of me recall Jason King using the phrase, “groovy baby”, can you? Oh… and they got his year of birth wrong too. Not a good showing for a paragraph consisting of just 5 lines…!

In gripping words and photos, the life and crimes of psychopath Peter Sutcliffe:

Taken from an article in The Daily Mail – 13 November 2020. Written by David Jones.

In his article about the notorious ‘Yorkshire Ripper’, Peter Sutcliffe – Jones writes: “With his saturnine good looks, neatly trimmed goatee and the same drooping black moustache as Jason King (Peter Wyngarde), a dashing TV heart-throb of the time, Peter Sutcliffe was just the man to burnish the company’s image, his bosses thought.”

Peter and, er, Peter. Only their respective mothers could tell them apart!

Fans comments…

Eddie Cunningham: Unbelievable how people in these positions are so dim.

Gordon’s Alive: Flash Gordon at 40.

Taken from an article in the Houston Press – 23rd September, 2020. Written by Pete Voder Haar

Flash Gordon really hinges on two great performances besides Von Sydow’s: Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan) and Peter Wyngarde (Klytus). Neither actor was very well-known outside the United Kingdom before 1980, and to most people, Flash is probably the one film featuring either actor most Americans have seen (Wyngarde for sure).

Wyngarde himself was a fascinating individual (he passed in 2018), with a childhood shrouded in mystery (of his own making) and a deeply weird personal life[1]. A star on British TV in the 1970s, Wyngarde’s style inspired both the later versions of the X-Men villain Jason “Mastermind” Wyngarde and the character Austin Powers.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: WHAT? How in the name of f**k would HE know!

Mr. Vonder is another sloppy journo who chooses not to respond when challenged over the claptrap he writes!

Fans Comments…

Richard Padfeld: He looks like a smug ‘I love me, who do you love’ type. Typical up-their-own-backside journo who really hasn’t the faintest.

Remembering when Diana Rigg had mass appeal as Emma Peel

Taken from an article by Scott Begbie in The Press and Journal – 17th September, 2020

Peter Wyngarde once released a song called Rape – and it’s every bit as terrible as that sounds!

Peter Wyngarde’s 1970s music career was as absurdly offensive as it was mercifully brief.

Taken from The International Business Times. Written by Neil Murphy.

Legendary actor and seventies heart-throb Peter Wyngarde passed away at a London hospital on Wednesday (17 January)[1], aged 90.

The French-born star played a variety of roles over his long career, but was particularly well-known for his role as author-turned-sleuth Jason King during the 1960s and 1970s and General Klytus in the 1980s science fiction film Flash Gordon.

In later years, his flamboyant style and distinctive voice earned him a cult reputation among younger fans. However, all but his most ardent fans will surprised to learn the actor turned his hand to music in 1970 – with extraordinary results.

In an time where millennials deem even 1990s sitcom Friends, “Problematic”, it should come as no surprise that his work may nowadays be considered rather politically incorrect. Indeed, he became known to millions for his appearance alongside Roger Moore in The Saint[2], where he donned blackface to play the role of a Turkish villain. (In his defence, he said he took the part in the hope he would be chosen to play Othello by a theatre director).

In 1970, Wyngarde attempted to cash in on his fame and recorded an album for label RCA, simply titled ‘Peter Wyngarde’. The spoken-word record sold well, much to the surprise of the record label, but has become a collectable curiosity, largely for its highly questionable content.

One of the tracks titled, Rape or Peter Wyngarde Commits Rape, was released as a promo single for the record. The track starts off dubiously: Wyngarde repeats the word ‘rape’ in his distinctively raspy voice[3] as a cacophony of horns play in the background.

So far, so awful. The casual misogyny (a woman is heard screaming ‘rape’ in the background) is only eclipsed by the ridiculous xenophobia that is heard later in the track (50 seconds in for the curious).

It may come as little surprise that the RCA washed their hands of the resulting music and refused to issue more copies when they ran out. Writing in the liner notes of a third party reissue in 1998, Wyngarde said RCA assumed the record would be a commercial failure and only commissioned it to write off as an accounting tax loss.

Notes & Corrections

Response: Another load of badly-researched claptrap from a typically sanctimonious “journalist” who had probably only heard of Peter Wyngarde for the first when his editor tasked him to write this article. [1]. Peter passed away on 15th January, 2018, not the 17th. I know because I was there! [2]. Peter’s portrayal of Turen in The Saint episode, ‘The Gadic Collection‘, is probably his least known and celebrated performance during the 1960s. By the time that particular story was made, he was already a regular on television and known “to millions”. [3]. It’s clear that Mr Murphy had never heard Peter’s voice, as there’s no way that it could ever be described as “raspy”!

Peter Wyngarde’s Abergavenny Beatles poster sold for thousands: From the South Wales Argus

A poster advertising an appearance by The Beatles at Abergavenny Town Hall in 1963, which was the property of actor Peter Wyngarde, has been sold at auction for £2,200.

The poster, which advertises the performance by the Fab Four on Saturday, June 22, 1963 – just as Beatlemania was about to kick off – was the highest valued item at what was East Bristol Auction’s first virtual sale day.

While Peter Wyngarde, who died in 2018, wasn’t thought to be at the event, he was an acquaintance of the band.[1]

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Peter was not, nor had he ever been, an “acquaintance” of The Beatles.

A Toupee With A Life Of It’s Own. Titter Ye Not: Written by Craig Brown for The Daily Mail

Death has its draw­-backs, particularly for those whose toupees survive them. 

Recently, an auction house in Bristol sold off a number of items that had once belonged to Peter Wyngarde, the smoothie actor who played the moustachioed detective Jason King in the TV series of the same name. 

The lots at the auction included Wyngarde’s snake-skin jacket, his purple-shaded sunglasses, his childhood teddy bear and his silk kaftan smoking gown, as well as his trophy for the ‘Best Dressed Personality of 1970’, which he had won against stiff competition from Cliff Richard and George Best. 

Yet the most memorable item in the auction was Lot 190, sheepishly described by the auctioneer as Wyngarde’s ‘personal toupee… with a fine mesh base . Supplied within its original box, addressed to Wyngarde at his personal residence. A rare item from the Peter Wyngarde estate’. One customer was prepared to buy it for £170, so we must trust that it went to a happy home, or even a happy head. But Wyngarde was a fastidious man and not the sort of person who would have wanted his toupee put under the gavel. 

Notes & Corrections

Response: Isn’t it sad that, with so many wonderful things that could’ve been said about Peter, and the items that came up for sale in this particular auction, the only thing Mr Brown could find to write about was an old toupee? Speaks volumes! “ALL actors will wear a variety of hair pieces during their career,” Thomas Bowington, Peter’sagent said. “Anyone who has even the most rudimentary knowledge of theatre and film would be aware of that. But I doubt this wasn’t the point of Mr Brown’s article. Clearly his only interest was mocking and poking fun at a man who can no longer defend himself. It says all you need to know about the British press.”

Tweeted by Author, broadcaster and former Tory MP, Gyles Brandreth:

Peter Wyngarde’s hair caught fire in Cyrano in Bristol. He was reluctant to pull off his flaming wig lest his audience discover he was bald.”

Above: Peter as Cyrano

Notes & Corrections

Response: At the time that Peter was appearing in ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ in Bristol, he was just 30-years old, and had a full head of hair. Quite where these ridiculous stories spring from is beyond me. In this instance, however, it’s clear that Mr Brandreth, who is probably best known for his novelty knitwear, was suffering from an acute case of Woolly Brain!

Note: Since this piece was originally posted, Gyles Brandreth has admitted that, “I could find no persuasive authentication for the story, and that, in fact, it appears Wyngarde played Cyrano when he was a lot younger and probably had a perfectly good head of hair.”

At least Mr Brandreth had the good grace to admit when he was wrong, unlike many other journalists, bloggers and the admins of the Wikipedia Peter Wyngarde ‘Biography’.

Found on the Internet Movie Database website…

Despite erroneous comments made elsewhere, Dorinda Stevens was never married to (or divorced from) actor Peter Wyngarde[1].

His career began winding down, following the series “Jason King.”[2]

Whilst he lived in France during his later years, Peter Wyngarde enjoyed using of guns (sic). He said that he shaved his head as a means of protesting against gun laws in the U.K.[3]

Notes & Corrections

[1] Peter was certainly, absolutely, categorically married to Dorinda Stevens in the early 1950s! [2] His career continued unabated after the ‘Jason King’ series finished. Evidently, the person who wrote this had never heard of the theatre! [3] Peter NEVER, EVER lived in France!

They say that if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. If only someone had bothered to reminded Chris Hallam of this old adage when he was handed the assignment of writing an article about Peter Wyngarde . 

What we have here is, more or less, a carbon copy of Gavin Gaughan’s universally-slated ‘Obituary’ (The Guardian – 19th January, 2018), which was hastily replaced by the paper after attracting a record number of complaints.

While Mr. Hallem professes to “uncover the highs and lows of his (Peter’s) remarkable life” – which includes the revelation that our man had once made a guest appearance in ‘Z Cars'(!), he clearly failed to notice the angry mob baying for Gaughan’s blood.   

A strongly-worded letter of complaint was duly sent to the magazine’s editor, Sharon Reid, highlighting the innumerable errors and misinformation contained in Hallem’s article. She duly apologised and promised to have a word with the freelance hack but, as ever, the damage had already been done.

Response from the editor

Fans comments…

Linda McNab: Kudos to you, Tina, for challenging rubbish like this as the majority of the public just read and swallow this guff.

‘How Peter Wyngarde’s secret sex life was exposed by police, destroying career of the 1970s pin up who inspired Austin Powers’

By Steve Myall and Robin Turner – The Mirror

For this error-strewn piece of codswallop and our response, please click here

The Daily Mail By Christopher Stevens – 23rd July, 2018

Poldark (BBC1) left our saturnine hero last weekend ravishing his wife Demelza on the floor of their London lodgings, with only a bed sheet to protect her from splinters. And a week later, as the opening credits rolled, he was still at it.

Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) pleaded that she had to sleep. ‘I have other plans for you,’ growled her husband, before whisking her off to the Pleasure Gardens to enjoy the jugglers and fire-eaters, and dragging her to the Wicked Warleggans’ charity ball.

Long-running serials often run out of steam when they leave familiar surroundings — but a plunge into the wanton self-indulgence of Georgian England’s ‘Sin City’ has revived the Cornish folk.

All the lasciviousness of London was oozing from one character, philandering MP Monk Adderley (Max Bennett). All he needed was a Mexican moustache to be the louche lookalike of that most debauched actor of them all, the late Peter Wyngarde — he of the flowery shirts and open-top Bentley’s [1].

‘Two things I like best,’ purred Monk. ‘To fight and to make love. On the same day… one whets the appetite for the other.’ If Wyngarde never said that line, as insatiable ladies’ man Jason King, he should have.

Email to The Daily Mail – 23.08.18:  

To Whom It May Concern: Regarding Christopher Stevens article about Poldark. TV & Showbiz. 23.07.18: The author referred to Mr Peter Wyngarde as “The most debauched actor ever”. What evidence does Mr Stevens have to support this? Does he have any idea what the word ‘Debauched’ actually means? Peter may have passed, but that does not mean that some third-rate hack has the right to abuse his memory. He was a good, kind, decent man, and I will be expecting a printed apology from Stevens for maligning him. Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins

Their Reply: 

Dear Tina Thank you for your email, which Emma at Mail Online has brought to my attention, and apologies for the unintentional delay in our response. At the outset, please accept our sincere sympathies for your loss. We were sorry to read that you were upset by Christopher Stevens’ reference to Mr Wyngarde and would like to assure you that was certainly not the intention. As you may be aware, as our regular TV columnist Mr Stevens sets out his own views on the week’s TV shows. In this instance, the article was light-hearted review of a recent episode of Poldark, in which Mr Stevens made a brief comparison between Mr Wyngarde and the character Monk Adderley, in light of Mr Wyngarde’s former role as ‘ladies’ man’ Jason King. While there was certainly no intention to cause upset, Mr Stevens was entitled to express his views, much as you are entitled to disagree with them. Nevertheless, please be assured that we welcome all feedback – positive or negative – and have made Mr Stevens aware of your concerns for his future reference. Thank you once again for taking the time and trouble to write. With kind regards Corrections – Daily Mail

My Response

Dear Sir or Madam, Thank you for your email, however, I think the point has been missed. I had no complaint about the “lighthearted” comment regarding Jason King. What concerned me was the line that described Peter as: ‘…the most debauched actor of them all.” It seemed that your columnist is incapable of distinguishing fiction from fact. Jason King was a character in a TV series, so is fair game. Peter was a living, breathing human being. It is painful to read something so disrespectful. It’s also sad that these things need to be pointed out by those of us still grieving for him. With Regards, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins

Any professional journalist who cannot distinguish the difference between a fictitious character in a television series and the actor that plays him, has no business writing about TV.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Jason King never drove an open-top Bentley.

Found on X (the artist formally known as Twitter)

The actor Peter Wyngarde has died. I well remember him in the late 1970s and early/mid 1980s, sitting at the bar of the Kensington Rifle and Pistol Club, dressed in a black leather catsuit and smoking a cigarillo. A waspish, sardonic and slightly alarming character. #PeterWyngarde

Peter gave up smoking in 1979, so it would’ve been highly unlikely that he’d be puffing away on a “cigarillo” (he only ever smoked cigarettes) in the “early/mid1980s”. Similarly, he didn’t own a “black leather catsuit”. Perhaps the reason for this bizarre memory comes from the fact that Ian Millard had been spending far too much time in the Kensington Rifle and Pistol Club bar!

Taken from The JC: http://www.thejc.com

‘Peter Wyngarde , the actor best known for his role as 1960s TV sleuth Jason King, has died at around the age of 90.

The reason for the uncertainty over his age is due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mr Wyngarde’s origins. Everything about his birth – including the date, the year, the place, and even his parentage – have all been disputed’.

Notes & Corrections

Response: The only reason that such details are disputed is due to Wikipedia muddying the waters with misinformation. It would seem that the first port of call for today’s lazy journalists is this online encyclopaedia. If they’d take the time to look at Official sources, they’d find that there is no “dispute”!

Taken From ‘Infinity’ magazine – Issue 6 (November 2017)

The magazine (this issue was published in November 2017), boasted an 11-page special, written by Brian J. Robb and Robert Fairclough – the latter being responsible for the following review of the ‘Fall In – The Prisoner at 50’ event at Portmeirion (29th September, 2017).

‘After ‘Checkmate’, there was a buzz of anticipation in the room, as Peter Wyngarde – the camp crusader Jason King himself and the suave Number 2 in the episode just screened – was the next subject for Dick Fiddy’s gentle interrogation. Anticipation turned to an air of concern as the elderly Wyngarde entered in a wheelchair, his distinctive face hidden a baseball cap and shades [1]. He’d been taken seriously ill earlier on, and despite being moved to hospital [2], had insisted on honouring his commitment to ‘Fall In’ – which required him being driven back to Portmeirion in an ambulance [3]. Even though, for health reasons, Wyngarde ’s interview was restricted to just five minutes, he was full of praise both for McGoohan and his singular brainchild: ‘(The Prisoner) was the most extraordinary thought. Patrick should’ve stayed with us, he shouldn’t have gone to Hollywood, (although) he did OK… He was wonderful to work with, tremendously kind, retrospective, helped you if you had a problem of any kind, and also gave you the feeling that you were doing something original, and that for an actor is the most wonderful thing in the world.’ Like McGoohan, Wyngarde has, in the past, had the reputation of being difficult, but his obvious enthusiasm for making ‘Checkmate’, not to mention his bravery in the face of being very unwell, earned him many new admirers.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. This suggests that Peter was skulking about – trying to avoid the gaze of any passerby. Anyone who knows Peter is aware that he rarely ever took off his baseball cap, so it wasn’t something he’d put on just for that interview. The sunglasses were to protect his eyes from the glare of artificial light, due to a condition he contracted as a child in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. [2]. Peter was never at any point “moved to hospital”. He didn’t leave Portmeirion from me driving him there on the evening of Thursday, 28th September, until we left at around 12.20pm on Saturday, 1st October. He only left the hotel once, which was when he took part in the Q&A. [3]. He was not driven ANYWHERE in an ambulance! A formal complaint regarding this article has been made to the magazine’s editor, Allan Bryce, by Peter’s agent.

A formal complaint regarding this article has been made to the magazine’s editor, Allan Bryce, by Peter’s agent.

Click here for ‘Fall In – The Prisoner at 50’ ; to read hat really of Peter’s trip to Portmeirion.

Taken from http://booksteveslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/

The following load of badly-researched bovine excrement – i.e. copied from Donald Spoto’s Alan Bates biography, ‘Otherwise Engaged’, comes from a blog entitled ‘Steve’s Library’:

Peter Wyngarde  has been in the news this week with the rediscovery of ‘South’, a British teleplay from 1959 believed to be the first gay-themed dramatic effort to air on television. If you’re in the US, you may not be familiar with Mr. Wyngarde but he is a performer of some depth and renown in the UK. He sang [1] opposite Lucille Ball in her Lucy in London TV special in 1966. He was the new Number Two in The Prisoner. He appeared memorably in many well-known TV shows The Avengers, The Champions and even Doctor Who, all the while maintaining a presence in the classier productions for which British television is known.

It was Department S, though, that made  Peter Wyngarde a star in 1969. The series dealt with a secret Interpol group brought in to investigate “unique” crimes. Wyngarde’s Jason King character was a mystery author who acted as a consultant to the group. The character stood out from the fairly standard look of the rest of the show by  nature of his poofy hair [2], Sgt Pepper-style mustache [3] and increasingly flamboyant fashion choices. He was a cocky, egomaniacal ladies man who ended up becoming popular enough to merit his own 26 episode spin-off series, Jason King after two series of Department S.

By the time he got his own show, the character, although still played straight, seems increasingly a parody and is often said to be the basis for Mike Myers’ Austin Powers character. At the peak of his success,  Peter Wyngarde  was mobbed in public by fans, had comics characters based on him and put out a bizarre and ultimately controversial record album!

Wyngarde’s career was quickly derailed [4] just a few short years after Jason King left the air when he was arrested on a couple of “public indecency” charges [5] which also served to reveal the star’s homosexuality. Although widely known in the industry [6] Wyngarde had been a companion to fellow actor Alan Bates [7] for a decade at one point–like many stars, he had kept the fact a secret from the public. While such a revelation today might not have hurt his career, at the time it led to two bankruptcies [8].

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Peter never “sang” with Lucille Ball – in ‘Lucy in London‘ or anywhere else. [2]. “Poofy hair”? Quite what this means is anyone’s guess. Peter’s hair is naturally curly. Unnecessary nastiness! [3]. “Sgt Pepper-style mustache (sic)“: Peter’s moustache was actually based on an 19th century Russian style, which he grew for a play entitled, ‘The Duel‘ which was set, strangely enough, in 19th Century Russia! [4] This old chestnut AGAIN! I suggest ‘Steve’ tries reading this… [5]. Unproven.  [6] & [7]. Taken from Donald Spoto’s disputed biography, ‘Otherwise Engaged: The Life of Alan Bates’. Read what Peter said about this particular author and what he wrote about him here. [8]. Incorrect.

Review of ‘On Trial: Sir Roger Casement’ – Taken from The Internet Movie Database

This long forgotten B.B.C. series [1] is similar to a series hosted by Joseph Cotton that appeared in the late 1950s (only a handful of years before this one). It only lasted one season and (I would suspect) no longer exists. Pity because the stories look interesting (at least to this legal historian) and the casts have many names in them that developed into full careers. Again, as I never watched an episode, I cannot judge the performances or productions but I suspect it was above average.

To this day the name of Roger Casement is a sore spot between England and the republic of Eire. He was executed (hanged) for high treason in 1917 [2] for his part in the events leading to the Easter Rebellion of the preceding year….

…One last point here is the ironic star of this episode. Not as well known in the U.S. (particularly after his own disaster) Peter Wyngarde was once a popular and handsome leading man in British theatre and television. Occasionally one can see his face on old episodes of programs like The Avengers. Most of his work is forgotten now due to a homosexual scandal that ruined him in the late 1970s. According to his thread on this board his last television performance was in a 1994 episode of Jeremy Brett’s series of Sherlock Holmes’ stories, and it was as a minor character. A sad, and (as I said) ironic fall for the man who played Sir Roger Casement in 1960 [3].

Notes & Corrections

[1]. The series wasn’t produced by the BBC. It was made by the ITV company, Granada. [2] Casement was hanged in 1916, not 1917 as stated. [3] Same old crap about Peter’s career being “ruined” This information was obviously copied from another poorly-researched piece!

This was a reasonably popular [1] TV series filmed between 1968/1969 (with Jason King as its spin-off) and here we have 13 of the original 26 episodes of the first three (individual) Department S releases – starring the one and only Peter Wyngarde .

Department S is a fictitious wing of Interpol and is headed by Sir Curtis Seretse (Dennis Alaba Peters – a bass voiced black actor who only ever appears briefly invariably to de-brief Sullivan). The Department has but three operatives: ex-FBI [2] Stuart Sullivan (Joel Fabiani), systems expert Annabelle Hirst (Rosemary Nicols) and the one and very much only Jason King, about whom there is considerably more to be said. King is played by the ‘outrageous’ and eccentric Peter Wyngarde and it would be fair to say that King’s character is the ‘ideas’ man of the team. He also happens to be a mega best selling novelist (hence ideas), although curiously he does not appear to have succeeded in getting a hard back deal. To call Jason King flamboyant would be a gross understatement and one can’t help wondering how much of Mr. Wyngarde’s own input was reflected as to the character. The high vented waisted jackets, the colorful matching shirts and big-knotted kipper ties and so on. The character is irresistibly charming even though he never seems to stop drinking what looks like the same tumbler of whisky or brandy (it’s a wonder he can still stand up). King chain smokes long yellow-papered cigarettes, has a fondness for quoting Oscar Wilde and is -wait for it – an incorrigible womaniser. That last statement was probably the biggest in-joke of all! [3] 

The cases that Department S are assigned to all appear at the outset to be seemingly totally outré and utterly impossible. In the episode One Of Our Aircraft Is Empty (Vol 2) an airplane arrives at London airport – minus its 128 passengers! In Black Out (Vol 3) a man goes to the Covent Garden Opera House and wakes up on a West Indian Island. In The Trojan Tanker (Vol 1) a woman is seen locked inside a lorry but later mysteriously disappears despite the vehicle still being locked, while in the episode The Pied Piper of Hambledown (Vol 1) an English Village is found completely evacuated overnight, save one. In Who Played The Dummy (Vol 3) a car crashes and in the driving seat is a… dummy. Wyngarde’s shirt keeps changing color [4] from white to yellow and back again in this one as he climbs in and out of same car, the same happens with his straw hat. Talks about bad continuity! That said, the series was probably first seen in monochrome. In conclusion, all the cases are discovered to have logical explanations by our team of experts.

This series was made ‘back to back’ with Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and was written and directed mainly by the same team: the enterprising Monty Berman (producer) and Dennis Spooner (creator). Some of the Dept S episodes start off really promising but disappointingly run out of steam half way through [?!]. The directors on offer here were mostly seasoned veterans (and some Hammer film men) like John Gilling and Roy Ward Baker. However, none of this stops the absolutely atrocious continuity which is so bad it becomes laughable. In one scene of The Double Death of Charlie Crippen (Vol 3) a vintage Roll Royce is supposed to get blown up but the wreck we see is that of an old Bentley (well alright, who is going to blow up a car like that?). On the whole the show is quite fun, with pick up shots abounding all over the place and the same walls (painted in garish green) appearing in three different consecutive interiors in one episode. One can’t help wondering if there were any locations used other than London (that really was Belgrave Square, alright) and Elstree. Department S is not quite on par with series like The Avengers [5], then again… what was? Truth be told, without Wyngarde’s hilarious OTT kitsch-a-go-go character the series would be far less interesting and as we all know he got his own spin off TV series the next year.

The print of the Blu-ray releases is very crisp indeed and makes King’s suites even more crisp in appearance!

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Department S was one of the most popular series on TV in the late 1960/early 70’s. [2]. At no point in the series does it ever mention that Stewart Sullivan was ex-FBI. [3]. Conjecture… AGAIN! [4]. This was not a continuity error. It was due to a camera fault! [5]. Personal opinion. Many other people think the opposite.

From the ‘Trevor Miller Blog’ (American Screenwriter, Author and Journalist)

Margie and I watched Napoleon Dynamite on pay-per-view last night. For some reason the character of Uncle Rico (played by John Gries) held a bizarre fascination for me. Perhaps it was the fact that Rico reminded me of guys that I’d worked with in Canoga Park – valley dudes with blow dried hair and Tom Selleck moustaches. Back in the day, while working at Metropolis, failed football-jocks with yet another get-rich-quick scheme would pass through the office daily. They all seemed to live in places like Monrovia. They all had a special product for sale. Usually something they’d discovered that would supplement their income, and pay for that blissful two weeks in Cabo or Costa Rica… The schemes verged from the sublime to the ridiculous. Selling stock in a Country Club that hadn’t been built yet. It was somewhere in the high desert… Not exactly the best place to erect a golf course. There was also phony Travel Agent credentials being sold as some pyramid scheme, and a hair restoring product (called Flourish) discovered by someone’s dad in Israel. My favourite was probably the Personal Trainer selling a garish blue aphrodisiac tincture with the dubious name Rock Hard… That was the name of the aphrodisiac, not the trainer… But back to Uncle Rico. I realized, this morning, that he actually reminded me of the British TV character Jason King…

Growing up in England, in the early ’70’s, the Jason King show was the most popular thing on TV. If you were a teenage boy you wanted to be Jason King. If you were a girl, you wanted to be with him. Jason King was like James Bond, only better. He was pure 1970s kitsch – crazy clothes, a bevvy of exotic beauties in tow, and the biggest handlebar moustache ever to grace the small screen. King was a spin-off from the successful espionage series Department ‘S.’ But it was much more bizarre. In the show, Jason was a successful pulp crime novelist – writing the Mark Caine books. Each week he would be called upon by the British Secret Service [1] to unravel some international crime/mystery. This basically consisted of him jumping on private planes, shagging lots of birds in exotic locales, and wearing the most ridiculous menswear that you’ve ever seen. Jason King pioneered the massive collar, the flared slack, and the tie-knot that was bigger than a fist. I actually remember one wide collar shirt being known as ‘The Jason King.’ [2]

Jason King was played by an Australian[3][ heart-throb, Peter Wyngarde. Forget Austin Powers. This guy was the real deal. Not only a gourmet chef, and raconteur [4] – in 1971 – the King show made Wyngarde the most famous man in the U.K. When he arrived once at Heathrow airport, he was mobbed by thousands of female fans. He was voted the sexiest man alive in the British Press. Rumours abound that Wyngarde had been involved with Vivienne (sic) Leigh, and numerous of his female co-stars.

The Jason King show only ran for two years. But it bought Wyngarde a jet-set lifestyle much the same as the character he played – a vast country estate, apartments in London and Rome… Still in 1975 disaster struck. Peter Wyngarde was arrested for performing ‘Lewd Acts’ [5] with a Truck Driver in a Men’s Toilet at Gloucester Bus Station. At the time, this scandal was far more explosive than Kevin Spacey being ‘caught in the park,’ or George Michael entrapped in a Beverly Hills Bathroom. There were no ‘Gay TV-Stars’ [6] back then. And Wyngarde had been a hetero-heart-throb. He was trashed in the press. The female fans felt disgusted and betrayed…[7] In short Wyngarde’s popularity plummeted. Apart from a few B-Movies [8], and a brief return as a villain in Sherlock Holmes, Wyngarde was never seen again…

It seems strange how times have changed. If Wyngarde was ‘outed’ more recently, he may well have survived. You probably would’ve heard of him. Still, I’m guessing that you’ve neither heard of him or Jason King. [9] As far as I’m aware, the Jason King show is rarely played on U.K. TV – even in re-runs. I’m certain it’s never played on U.S. TV (unlike The Avengers, The Prisoner – et al). However, some say Jason King paved the way for The X-Files [10], with a series of unexplainable and supernatural-tinged crimes… I can’t help but think that the ‘burying’ of Jason King is due, in some part, to the Wyngarde Scandal… [11] All that being said, I’m trying to buy Jason King DVDs on ebay.co.uk… It’s extremely rare, and was only released once in 1993… [12] For those of you who do remember Jason King, I’ve found a few Wyngarde/Jason King websites… If you’re my age, you probably had the shirt, maybe even a King-Style Cravat. I hope you can share a moment sometime this week, and raise a glass to the long lamented Peter Wyngarde… As they say, from the days of Empire… Long live the King… Long live the Jason King…

I realise that this isn’t exactly a roasting, but it’s still error-strewn nonetheless. So let’s start the autopsy…

Notes & Corrections

[1] In the ‘Jason King’ series, King wasn’t called up by the British Secret Service “each week”. Not sure where THAT one came from! [2] Wide-collared shirts might have been known as ‘A Jason King’ in some places, but there was nothing widely or ‘officially’ known as a ‘J.K.’. [3] Peter Wyngarde is NOT Australian!!! (Lazy journalism). [4] A raconteur, yes, but a “gourmet chef”? Eh, nah! [5] ‘Lewd Acts’? An assumption based on inaccurate newspaper reporting. [6] What about Danny La Rue… Larry Grayson… John Inman…? [7] No evidence of that; just supposition. The original Official Peter Wyngarde Fan Club, which had a 99.9% female membership, was thriving until 1985. Peter still has a huge female following. [8] ‘Flash Gordon’ wasn’t a “B movie”. [9] Really? [10] That was ‘Department S’, NOT ‘Jason King’. [11] WHAT? [12] Selected episodes of ‘Jason King’ were released on video in 1993, but the complete series has been issued in a DVD box-set format, TWICE!

‘New Jensen, no ’tache required’ – Article taken from The Times

Orders are now being taken for the new version of the Jensen Interceptor[1], the favourite car of 1970s TV detective Jason King:

Someone get Jason King on the Trimphone — a new version of the 1970s TV detective’s favourite car, the Jensen Interceptor, is here. First deliveries of the Interceptor R began this month, with the Oxfordshire restorer Jensen International Automative (JIA) hoping to build a further 18 this year. The company has no links to the original Jensen Motors, which went bust in 1976.

JIA describes its new vehicle as a “modern interpretation” of the British supercar. Each Interceptor R is rebuilt from a stripped-down donor car, with new suspension, transmission, brakes and interior, plus a Chevrolet Corvette 6.2-litre V8 producing 429bhp — enough for a top speed of 160mph and a decidedly modern 0-60mph time of less than 4.5 seconds.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: I’m afraid Jason never drove a Jensen Interceptor. His car of choice was a Bentley Continental! Oh, dear!

‘Take note, Tony Blair: why jewellery looks so bad on men’ – Article taken from The Spectator

They think it makes them more youthful. In fact, it shows us they’re desperate.

The real rot probably started back in the 1970s, when Jason King, the fictional TV detective, first draped three pounds of bling around his neck and prowled the fleshpots of Europe. As played by Peter Wyngarde, he became the maharajah of the medallion men; he was the randy dandy, the lady-killer with a Zapata moustache who could never quite be trusted with the sherry bottle or your daughter. Since then, men who heavily invest in gold necklaces always have a whiff of the lothario about them, a hint of gangland, a whisper of try-too-hard, no matter how undeserved that might be.

"I only ever wore a medallion just ONCE in an episode of Department S entitled 'The Man From X'. That was when Jason went undercover in a nightclub". Peter Wyngarde 

The above nonsense was written by Jan Moir of the Daily Mail(!), which speaks volumes!!! 

Euro Weekly (1st October 2016) Caption: Peter Wyngarde : Always had a babe on his arm or in his Bentley Continental.

There is always one member in any group of blokes, who stands out in the crowd through his style and personality.  ‘Flash’ is a common adjective used to describe such individuals.

I am talking here of young men, and a time gone by when trouser waistlines got as low as the hips and that was it. Not shapeless strides that look as if they have an urgent appointment with your ankles.  

The only builder’s bums you saw then, were um, well builder’s bums.  The resident ‘Jack the Lad’ in our group was Alan.

Alan had Italian antecedents and although he was brought up in England, he still retained a very slight but alluring accent. Alluring to the girls that is.

He took for granted his popularity with women, and whilst the rest of us had to work hard to attract the opposite sex and continuously come up with new and corny chat-up lines, Alan would simply swagger over to his target, lift his eyebrows suggestively, and he was in.  

Even his swagger and eyebrow actions were delivered with a Mediterranean accent. A television series of the time was called ‘Department S’ and the main character, Jason King, was played by the actor Peter Wyngarde .

This oily devil wore sharp suits and sported fashionable long hair and a Zapata moustache.  And he always had a babe on his arm or in his Bentley Continental. Alan and Mr Wyngarde could have been brothers and attended the same school for smooth operators.

I stayed with my old friend in England recently, and nothing has changed. Whilst age has been a bitter enemy of mine, it seems to have simply ignored Alan and moved on to richer pickings.  

During my stay he would swan around wearing a granddad shirt, faded blue jeans held up with braces, and scuffed desert boots.  And dammit, he looked great.

When I returned home it inspired me to buy a pair of braces on Playa Flamenca market and try to emulate the look. The result was a fair photo-fit of what the father of Worzel Gummidge must have looked like. The Princess thought I had finally flipped.

But that’s the way it is with blokes like Alan.  When you’re hot you’re hot, and if you’re not you’re not.

AT LAST – SOMEONE ACTUALLY GOT IT RIGHT!

Written by James Tapper for The Daily Mail

Once he was an international sex symbol, regularly mobbed by screaming girls and boasting a clutch of ‘best-dressed man’ awards.

But when Seventies television star Peter Wyngarde  was spotted out shopping near his West London home last week – clad in knitted hat, camouflage jacket, wrinkly leather trousers and scruffy trainers – it was clear his fashion sense had deserted him a long time ago.

Wyngarde – now 76 – made his name playing a suave crime author and investigator with a penchant for groovy chicks in the cult adventure shows Department S and Jason King. With his flamboyant suits, bouffant hair and lush moustache he soon became one of the best-known characters on television.

Peter Wyngarde’s heart-throb status once led to him being mobbed by 30,000 hysterical women at Sydney airport, and he even had his own fashion column for women in a daily newspaper.

His adventures as Jason King were a send-up of spy and detective dramas such as The Saint and The Avengers – a typical plot would see King drive his Bentley to a country mansion where he would drink champagne with the owner and flirt with his attractive daughter before arresting everybody.

Peter responded a to this gutter snipe himself (see below). The letter was published in the 4th April, 2010 edition of The Mail on Sunday. He was probably wasting his time in putting pen to paper, since the idiotic columnist probably wouldn’t have the intelligence to comprehend what was being said to him.

Fans Comments

Andrew Humphries: Famously from the Daily Mail, one of their regular stupid stories about someone who is “unrecognisable”. It’s their special word for someone who has the apparent bad judgement to get older, fatter, thinner or just be out shopping in normal clothes. Jokes on them because for an 80-something he looks amazing.

Deepinder Singh Cheema: This just seems to me an elderly gent in robust health at ease with his style wearing excellent trousers well prepared for the climate.

Taken from ‘Shapers of the 80’s: British Youth Culture At It’s Finest’

Emma Peelpants is a keen-eyed blogger who plunders magazine and retail archives in search of 60s clothes and the whole vulgar, vibrant style of that swinging decade. Once in a while, she has a mensday and today she exhumes that male stereotype, “the heel” — the overbearing, amoral lothario who 40 years ago fancied himself rotten and treated women as playthings. Miss Peelpants publishes a hideously recognisable illustration of a heel from a copy of the teenage magazine 19, dated 1972, where one such sophisticate is grinding his heel into a bevvy of scantily clad girls. 19’s Guide to Recognising a Heel shows the just-got-out-of-bed coiffed hair, the bandito moustache, the whisky-and-cigarette in one hand, plus total absence of a smile, which he would have deemed too uncool.

To anybody of a certain age, the dandy in the illustration is all too visibly based on the actor Peter Wyngarde who shot to fame playing exactly this kind of international playboy in two late-night[1] TV espionage series at the dawn of the 70s, Department S and Jason King. These expressed notions of contemporary glamour by being set in airports and beside Riviera pools. Their action-hero won awards as the “Best Dressed Man In Britain” while Sun readers voted him the “Man With the Sexiest Voice on Television”.

For those who wish to avoid hearing Wyngarde’s ripe spoken-word rendition, the Thespians have posted the full wince-making lyrics (words and music by Hubert Valverde and Peter Wyngarde). Many people feel that the actor met his just desserts when he wrecked his career[3] in what politicians euphemistically call a moment of madness in 1975. He’s still alive and kicking and signing autographs, now aged 75.

Notes & Corrections

Response: This unholy mess of an article is typical of the kind of nonsense churned out by those who know little or nothing about the subject they’re writing about.  [1]: Neither Department S nor Jason King were “late-night TV espionage series”. They were originally broadcast around 8pm and, latterly, repeated in the afternoon.  [2]: The re-issue of Peter’s album on CD – released under the title ‘When Sex Leers It’s Inquisitive Head’ – never, EVER carried a “Don’t buy this” warning on the sleeve. [3]: Peter’s career was not “wrecked”, as suggested. He actually worked almost continually after the so-called “moment of madness in 1975”, and received many of his most enthusiastic plaudits from critics during that time.

Perhaps it would’ve been more appropriate to affix a “Do not bother reading” sticker to this laughable article!

‘Damn You, Scarlett O’Hara, The Private Lives of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier’ By Darwin Porter and Roy Moseley (Blood Moon Productions)

Notes & Corrections

[1]: This “brief sexual fling” actually lasted for almost 4 years; longer than most Hollywood marriages!

By Martin Buckley – Motoring Journalist

Jason King: Bentley Continental This was a follow-on series for Peter Wyngarde, the Australian [1] actor who played the hunky, spunky Jason King. King was a thriller writer who solved crimes as if he was writing the plot of one of his books. As usual the scripts took the character all over the world but when the action moved to swinging London King would be seen swishing around in his Bentley Continental. With his flamboyant clothes and trendy moustache Wyngarde was quite a heartthrob [2] yet cut such a slender, effete figure that the fight scenes always seemed rather unlikely. Jason King wasn’t the success Department S had been and in any case Wyngarde’s career was cut short [4] by an incident in a gentleman’s lavatory. The character was parodied by The Comic Strip in the late eighties as ‘Jason Bentley.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Peter wasn’t Australian! [2]. ‘With his flamboyant clothes and trendy moustache Wyngarde was quite a heartthrob yet cut such a slender, effete figure that the fight scenes always seemed rather unlikely’. Peter actually had a black belt in Karate and could knock almost anyone out if he meant to. As for Peter being “effete”: As a child, he managed to survive four years in a Japanese P.O.W., and was a black belt in Karate which, I would suggest, made him far tougher than Mr Buckley would have his readers believe! [3]. His career wasn’t cut short for any reason.

From ‘The Billen Interview’ – The Guardian 7th August, 1997

Andrew Billen visits author JG Ballard in his peeling semi to discuss class, feminism and the material world.

Ballard is not being pious and he is, anyway, in little danger of being damned as politically correct. In 1973, when he was still thought of as a science fiction writer, he published Crash, a novel celebrating the eroticism of car smashes. The kinkiness of Crash, and of some of his other works (one, featuring the Kennedy assassinations, is called The Atrocity Exhibition), reminds me of a fairly weird interview I once conducted with the actor Peter Wyngarde. The one-time Jason King had talked about his preference for ‘sadistic’ sex[1]. I am reminded because Wyngarde and Ballard were in the same internment camp. . The one-time Jason King had talked about his preference for ‘sadistic’ sex. I am reminded because Wyngarde and Ballard were in the same internment camp.

‘Oh,’ Ballard says when I mention it, ‘I don’t think that sort of thing affects your sex life. I’d have thought it needed to be much more personal than that, but then I don’t have any strain of S&M in me, so I wouldn’t know.’ Is it true, as Lynn Barber wrote, that he used to show off photographs of his girlfriend’s car-crash injuries at dinner parties? ‘Of course it isn’t,’ he says.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: Peter did NOT say “sadistic sex”. He actually said “Sophisticated sex.”

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Below is a veritable cornucopia of sub-articles from the early to mid-1990’s, which were written around the time that Department S and Jason King were either about to be released on video, or were featured on one of the terrestrial TV channels Sixties/Seventies day-long marathons. So here we look back at those in the Nineties who were looking back at the Sixties….

TV Zone – 1993

The tape sleeve sums up it up: ‘ Peter Wyngarde IS Jason King’, because Wyngarde’s smooth, sardonic, eccentric portrayal of the dandified ‘Crimewriter! Adventurer Lover!’ gives this series a distinctly watchable charm.

The character Jason King left Departments S to “struggle along” (as King puts it) without him. Wyngarde’s colourful characterization presumably proved the most popular element of the Department S series, so here we are presented with a succession of totally unlikely adventures which befall a novelist (writing the adventures of the indefatigable Mark Caine) who travels the world.

Needless to say, the world consists of reel upon reel of stock footage – of alarmingly variable picture quality, and bits of exotic shrubbery glimpsed through set windows.

The plots are of little note, mostly being concerned with political intrigue, theft and murder – all dreadfully contrived.

In 1971, Wyngarde was a big hit with the ladies. In 1993, this dapper chappy with the huge moustache, flapping collars, fat ties and turned-up cuffs (reportedly adopted because Wyngarde lost his cuff links during filming!) now looks a bit daft [1]. Still, he’s worth checking out.

Notes & Corrections

[1]: I suspect that the person who wrote this was probably sat at his typewriter (remember them?), in a flame-resistant Shell Suit and jellies. He looks a bit daft now, doesn’t it?!

TV Zone – 1994

In the 1970’s, Jason King has obviously left Department S and merited a series in his own right. The episode ‘Toki’ has Felicity Kendall falling in love with Jase (who wouldn’t?), and is set in Paris, France. Jason has now acquired a nice collection of kaftans. How those baddies must have been shaking in their shoes; high drama or high farce? Take your pick.

The Lancashire Evening Post – 1994

The sixties were clearly a funny old time. Why else would 35,000 Australian women [1] claim in a survey that they wanted to lose their virginity to TV tec, Jason King?

Here was a man with the most ridiculous moustache and hairdo in the history of telly, a man with a fondness for crushed velvet [2] and ties with knots so big they were a danger to shipping. And yet ‘Department S’ and seemingly in real life too, women loved him. Perhaps he was just ahead of his time. Watching King, alias Shakespearean actor, Peter Wyngarde, wandering through this wildly funny piece of 1969 kitsch, I was often reminded of Nineties pop icons Prince and Lenny Kravitz, who also have tendencies to mince.

Shown as part of another tedious telly marathon on the ‘Swinging Sixties’, that could hardly have been as wonderful as everyone tells us, Department S was like The Avengers meets Batman; a relic of an age which laid itself open to satire almost before it was over. The plot is so daft to recount here – suffice to say the chief baddie bought it after King, wearing a spacesuit, whacked him with a side of beef in a meat locker… But, hey, 35,000 Australian women can’t be wrong.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. The survey referred to in this article was taken in 1971, not in the 1960’s as stated here. The 35,000 women named Peter Wyngarde as ‘The Man We’d Most Like To Lose Our Virginity To’, NOT Jason King. The author of this article was obviously unable to distinguish between a fictional character and the actor who played him! [2]. Peter never wore “crushed velvet”. The author, who had probably never seen an episode of either Department S OR Jason King prior to writing this article, obviously believed that the Comic Strip episode, ‘The Detectives’, was a true representation of the character. P*** poor at best!

Video World – 1994

Dedicated followers of fashion will be delighted to discover that they can return to the psychedelic 1970’s this month in the company of old smoothie-chops himself, Jason King. There’s nothing like a good thriller, and these are nothing like a good thriller either, but they’re groovy entertainment nevertheless.

Evening Telegraph – 1994

Great television programmes never die, they just go to TV Heaven, where those nice people at ITC Home Video re-issue them for our viewing pleasure.

All that’s best in 60’s and 70’s cult TV can be found on ITC. Out this month are four new episodes from the excellent ‘Man In A Suitcase’. Also out is a new ‘Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) collection, and a wide range of ‘Department S’ videos, if the recent episode on BBC2 has whetted your appetite for more Jason King.

Video Trade Weekly – 1994

Get your velvet jacket out of mothballs, shake out your flares and watch out for those wide lapels!

Jason King is back. Just in time to cash in on the 70’s revival the flamboyant writer/detective who first appeared in the hit 60’s series, ‘Department S’ is back. As played by Peter Wyngarde, the ultimate smoothie who won the Best Dressed Personality Award in 1970 [1], Jason King is back on two video’s released by ITC. Each features two episodes and will be available for £10.99.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. He won it in 1971 as well.

The Daily Star – 1994

BBC2 dusts of the joss-sticks, fumigates the Afghan coat and celebrates a host of classic comedies, dramas and great sporting moments in an unashamed day of nostalgia on Monday. ‘One Day In The 60s’, from 11.45am to midnight, unearths ‘Adam Adament Lives!’ with Gerald Harper as the Edwardian detective, dripping from an icy tomb to fight crime in the 20th century with only a swordstick for company, and Sixties sex symbol, Peter Wyngarde, polishes up his medallion [1] as flamboyant thriller writer-turned-super-sleuth, Jason King.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. In the name of all that’s holy, not this old chestnut A-GAIN! I’m getting weary of saying this… Peter only wore a medallion in one episode of Department S (The Man From X), when he went undercover at a nightclub. Clearly, one this author’s Scrunchies was too tight, and she couldn’t think straight!

The Radio Times – 1994

Peter Wyngarde starred as Jason King, the flamboyant thriller-writer who doubled as an investigator for Department S, in this and the early-70’s spin-off, ‘Jason King’. No job is too dangerous, no gadget too complicated, no Paisley shirt too loud for Interpol’s most secret weapon in the battle against crime.

Editors Note: What looks more dignified – a 1970s Paisley Shirt or a 90s hemp necklace and dungarees with one strap left undone down? Mmmm – difficult one this….

Sky TV Guide – June 1995

Peter Wyngarde ’s outrageously trendy clothes and even more outrageous hairstyle, are the real stars of this Sixties classic (Department S). Wyngarde plays Jason King, best-selling crime novelist and member of a secret crime-fighting trio. His co-stars, Joel Fabiani and Rosemary Nichols. But Wyngarde stole the show to such an extent that he was given his own spin-off series, ‘Jason King’.

The Radio Times – June 12th 1995

In March, the Radio Times asked which cult programmes you, the reader, would like to see repeated; the letters flooded in. Even the postman entered into the spirit, delivering the mail with a witty one-liner before scaling the walls of the building. It was if Simon Templar, Jason King, Adam Adament, the suave Persuaders – Danny Wilde and Lord Brett Sinclair, and their gallant, if shamelessly chauvinistic ilk, had never disappeared into the television history books.

You laughed, you cried, you eulogised… you fell in love: “I was 5 or 6 when I first saw Peter Wyngarde as Jason King, and I had a huge crush on him even at that tender age,” admits reader, Amanda Long of Bristol. “I saw a one-off episode of Department S recently and, though it’s dated, Peter was ludicrously charming and witty. Watching him you wished there were more men like him”.

The Times – 10th June, 1995

One of the top ten ‘Cult’ series , according to a poll in the Radio Times last week, Department S, was first seen on ITV at the end of the 1960’s and was chiefly popular because of Peter Wyngarde, who played a dandified character called Jason King, who was apparently able to solve impossibly baffling mysteries by growing his sideburns, and wearing ever more appalling suits and shirts.

Tonight’s adventure (Six Days), a planeload of passengers is hijacked en route from Rome to London and whisked off to… but to say more might spoil the surprise. You can ignore the plot and sit back to enjoy the extraordinary acting and clothes and the absence of logic. Wyngarde’s impact was such that he was liberated from the Interpol sub-contractors Department S and given his own show: ‘Jason King’.

Editors Note: “Appalling shirts and suits”, exclaimed the man in the embellished jeans and Bum-Bag!

Satellite Times – June 1995

The title, Department S, describes a little-known, specialist division on Interpol which was brought into action when the most baffling of crimes or events occurred. The programme made a star of Peter Wyngarde, who played the debonair author and sleuth, Jason King – a character which eventually got him his own series. At the time the programme was aired, Mr. King was just the sort of man that women would die for, and there’s evidence to prove it: Jason was the most popular name for male babies in the early 70’s! The character, wearing sharp, velvet suits and frilly shirts, would examine the latest mystery to confront the team, and use the information and use the information and background material for his next Mark Caine adventure novel.

Although he acted as though there were a 1001 other places he’d rather be, you always knew he really enjoyed detective work, and Mr Wyngarde is still as enigmatic today – he stole the show with a cameo appearance in a recent Sherlock Holmes TV adventure. Jason’s fellow employees were Stewart Sullivan (played by Joel Fabiani), and American who was always getting knocked unconscious after a particularly vigorous fight, and Annabelle Hurst (Rosemary Nicols), a computer genius with an analytical brain. Rumour has it that script editor, Dennis Spooner, would write the bizarre two-minute pre-credit opening teasers, before giving them to his team of writers to do with them what they could.

Radio Times 1996

Jason King – author, private investigator and offshoot of ‘Department S’, was the personification of the Seventies man. Sporting a ludicrous moustache, flamboyant shirts, velvet catsuits [1] and the largest medallions [2], he leapt from bed to bed, purring catchphrases like, “Whenever I feel the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes”. It’s now the most popular show on Bravo, so turn on, tune in and dust off those flares.

Notes & Corrections

[1]. I’d give real money to the first person who can show me evidence of Peter wearing a “velvet catsuit” in either ‘Department S’ or ‘Jason King’! [2]. The old ‘Medallion’ nonsense again (Yawn!). Pathetic!

The Daily Mirror – 1996

Any man who can conduct a criminal investigation in a full-length mink coat, a flared Prince of Wales check suit [1] and a bright mauve cravat deserves a second look.

Yes, Peter Wyngarde is stepping out again as super-suave novelist-cum-detective, Jason King. The only thing criminal here are the plots while the fights are laughable, while some of the acting is so wooden it’s unreal. But that all counts for nothing because, boy, does Jason have style.

From his carefully clipped moustache to his often alarmingly-loud shoes [2], the man oozes class. This week’s episode involves a typically unlikely jaunt behind the Iron Curtain. It was entitled ‘To Russia With… Panache’. Need I say more?

Notes & Corrections

[1]. Eh, nope! Never seen Jason in a Prince of Wales check suit. [2]. “…alarmingly-loud shoes”? Nor them either.

“I KNOW THE TRUTH AND THIS BOOK IS HONEST AND BRILLIANT!” Tim V. – Friend of Peter Wyngarde

REVIEWS

Reviewed by Mr. R.G. Brown- 05 July 2025

A really good read. Well written by someone who knew him well. Could not put it down. A testament to an amazingly talented actor .

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Reviewed by Judy Lockyer – 08 March 2025

“I’ve just finished reading ‘Peter Wyngarde, A Life Amongst Strangers’

I am totally moved by it. The writing, the detail and the emotional content have overwhelmed me. I’ve found I needed to read a part and then stop to take it in. So much well reported content deserves time.

The heartbreaking end brought me to tears, (so much took me back to my late husbands passing in hospital last September). I had to take my time over this section so as not to become totally overwhelmed. I have seldom been so moved by a story.

I was going to say I feel drained but in fact I feel almost cleansed by being able to revisit my husband’s hospital experience through someone else’s trauma. This book was cathartic for me in that sense.

In other sections I found the writing compelling and Peter’s comments in italics added a whole other delightful addition.

It’s a long time since I read a book and this will stay in my consciousness for a very long time.

Thank you Tina for everything you did and shared with Peter and for having the fortitude to document not only his history but also the deeply emotional journey you both shared. This was a modern day love story indeed.

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Reviewed by Christopher Williams – 07 November 2024

I’m not sure whether to imagine that you have all read it or if only some of you have, but I’ve just read it from cover to cover, every word, on every page. Peter Wyngarde: A life Amongst Strangers by Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins.

This is a true biography in every sense. It is everything you could ever want to know about Peter Wyngarde literally from cradle to grave. The book is an education and shows the real Peter Wyngarde. It is beautifully written and packed with details and astonishing information and revelation; I could hardly put it down and read it well into the night.

Tina’s devotion and loyalty to Peter is heart wrenching and there are some chapters that will have you wiping away tears as you read them. Incredibly, Tina shares with us Peter’s final hours so that we, his fans, can be there with him. I have nothing but admiration for her for being so generous with such a personal and deeply emotional moment.

I recommend the book to you all without hesitation. If you are a member of this group then you must read it. It’s available on eBay for around £12, that is tremendous value.

God bless Tina, and may Peter rest in everlasting peace.

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Reviewed by Shawna Khan – 07 November, 2024

For those of us in the states, this is also available from Amazon in physical form and Kindle. I read the Kindle version and it is a wonderful book. I read it in 2 days when I first joined The Official Peter Wyngarde Appreciation Society and was starting to watch Peter’s work. Now I find that I go back and reread parts of the book as reference material each time I see something new of Peter’s work. The anecdotes in the books give me even more appreciation for Peter’s art. I highly recommend reading Tina’s book.

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Reviewed by albir_165

“This book is fantastic the detail and knowledge within its pages has really informed me about Peter, although I knew him well lots of the information has put him in a new light.”

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Reviewed by Pete Old

“Peter Wyngarde A Life Amongst Strangers By Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins, documents the long life of the quintessentially English actor who, for the Baby Boomers’ generation – those born between 1946 and 1964 – was synonymous with the late Sixties/early Seventies cool and style. Peter Wyngarde would have made an ideal James Bond, as he was just as menacing (and considerably more nuanced) than Sean Connery – and frankly more talented than Roger Moore, whose archness he could have finessed; hence one could imagine him portraying Bond with more interest – and intellect – than any of the contemporaneous 007s. The author brings a unique perspective to the icon’s day-to-day world for the final third of his life, showing an insight that only someone with the ‘inside track’ could garner. The author recalls the frailties of the book’s subject without being melodramatic or self-pitying and for the most part, the restraint is admirable. This makes the end chapters heartbreaking, as the author takes the reader through Peter Wyngarde’s final illnesses, with the couple’s home life scrutinised in raw detail. Yet the recollection of his domestic needs during his final illness is all-too-familiar as it never fails to engage with its themes of challenge, vulnerability and the struggles of the human condition common to us all. This is highly recommended on its terms and a must-read for fans of Peter Wyngarde and for its study of that uniquely ‘English gentleman’ paradigm that was so prevalent during the third quarter of the 20th century, making it a great character study in its own right; not least that of its courageous and insightful author.”

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Reviewed by Peter Stadlera – Munich

“The author sent me a review copy of her massive biography for an honest review. I’m really glad to have found so many facts and interesting background on one of the heroes of my youth, starring in Department S as Jason King. Peter Wyngarde was always loud in his clothes, he was so quick-witted and larger than life in that TV series. But what about the person behind this role? Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins describes in the first part of the book his home, his parents, WW2 days and his relationship to women like Rosameurde and Dorinda. We then switch to London and his work for TV and the theatre. There are many fine testimonials from the press to underline how well perceived his appearances were. You’ll also find many letters written by Peter himself to give an insightful view into his personality and thinking. Chapter by Chapter Peter is brought back to life by his astute biographer. You’ll also hear about his ‘relationship’ with Alan Bates and his roles in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and ‘The Adventures of Ben Gunn’ – two adaptions of classic novels. Peter was a man with a very long career, so here you get an excellent view of the 20th century from his sphere of influence. The film sets are described in a very detailed way and you will find yourself looking for many a lost DVD gems. I loved the way the 70s are presented here; so lively, with Peter meeting the Gibb brothers from the Bee Gees in Carnaby Street. You can really see the scene inside your head with Stayin’ Alive playing aloud forming the soundtrack of that age. Peter was also an international advertising icon. He did ads for German men’s cosmetic company Tabac: ‘Peter Wyngarde smells… Great! For the man of action (I’m glad that I use those products myself on a daily basis since I was a youth). After so many heights we read about the downfall of our hero due to a ridiculous episode (no spoilers here, but unimaginable why such a career came into decline after such a petty thing). Tina then describes him playing General Klytus in the ‘Flash Gordon’ movie (another unforgettable role). She tells us many personal anecdotes about her and Peter. The episode with the Doc Martens boots is extremely well done and remains forever saved on my mental hard-disc. In the second part of this unique biography, we get a very personal insight into the life and further career of the icon. We see his decline of health, depression, dying family and friends, feuds with neighbours… every chapter starts with a letter from Peter to the author. The chapters in the second part are very moving and show how deep Tina was in love with her Peter and what an admirable relationship they had over so many years; one is by their side when reading the pages of the book. We accompany Tina until’s Peter’s last day on earth and also come to know how the situation was for Tina after his death. In the end, we have a list of books referenced and recommended for further readings, although I can’t imagine you’d find a more detailed book on Peter than in book ‘A Life Amongst Strangers’. To bring this long review to a conclusion. You get, in my opinion, one of the most detailed biographies on an actor ever written. No detail is left out- even very personal and some sexual points are spoken about. This is a very big picture. It hits you like Peter himself with his incredible performances and stylish accents. “Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers” is a phenomenal book, and is most certainly the most detailed and intimate biography I’ve ever read. You can almost see Peter nonchalantly walking out of the pages!” Highly recommended!”

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Reviewed by Tania Donald

“Peter Wyngarde – A Life Amongst Strangers” is both a meticulously researched showbiz biography and the story of the extraordinary thirty-year relationship between Peter and the book’s author, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins. What is so compelling about the book is that as well as documenting the course of Peter Wyngarde’s remarkable career, Tina takes the reader behind the stage curtain and allows us to see fully and in three dimensions the man loved by so many for the wonderful characters he created. To people who have viewed Peter Wyngarde only as a figure on a screen, or as a name in a bit of showbiz gossip, this book will be nothing less than a revelation – and no doubt a startling one as it will certainly shatter many widely-held preconceptions and myths. But clearly we all need to be reminded that the public figures who are the subject of both adoration and malicious gossip are real people with real lives and real feelings: this, Tina achieves in the most compelling way. Tina conjures for us the story of a man of great talent and personal charisma, who by the force of his gifts and determination, rises out of a difficult childhood to reach the summit of his profession. As a work examining the history of British theatre and television from the 50s onwards, and Peter’s journey through it, it is filled with colourful and fascinating detail. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Peter’s story, however, is to fully grasp how, in the latter part of his career, this giant of the stage and screen – as eager as ever to work – finds his talents so sadly underused, due to forces both external and internal. Tina’s exploration of Peter’s life and career is as honest as it is eye-opening, and while she does not shy away from Peter’s more difficult characteristics and painful life experiences, the thread running through this book is a story of love and devotion that is deeply touching and ultimately heart-wrenching. Readers will certainly understand the author’s incorporation of “Wyngarde” into her name by the end of the book. It is an intimate memoir in many ways – at times, painfully so. Tina conveys the ups and downs of a sometimes tempestuous relationship with uncommon frankness and openness. Readers may be shocked by the candour of some of the disclosures in this book, but what emerges from the author’s account of Peter’s life is a portrait of Peter Wyngarde as a man as complex and filled with contradictions as any of us. And could we expect any less from the actor who brought the iconic Jason King – the ultimate maverick and non-conformist – to life so vividly? Indeed, Tina’s great achievement with this biography is in evoking for the reader the reality that behind the screen icon there was a real person, striving and struggling with the human frailties we all share – and as deserving of our empathy and our understanding as we ourselves would hope to be, if similarly judged in the public spotlight. I have rarely read a biography that gives such a complete sense of its subject, both as an artist and as a real human being.”

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Reviewed by Shelley Hodgeson

“This is the most detailed and insightful biography you will ever read. It is informative, enlightening, moving and lively- giving an absorbing account of the life of a talented and cultured man. It is well written and well researched and an excellent read.”

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Reviewed by C Slinn in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2023

“Tina’s book about Peter Wyngarde is just absolutely riveting – I actually feel like I know him personally even though we only met for an autograph some years ago – the book is a full account of his life and personality and I am quite touched by how much she loved and cared about Peter giving me laughter, fascination and heartbreak x”

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Reviewed by Andy C in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2023

“Not exactly spoilt for choice on Peter Wyngarde biog’s & some would say Tina had a hidden agenda although having read the book I fail to see how.

This is a huge book & not overly padded out with photos. The sheer amount of detail given of Wyngarde’s entire career is immense which I’m assuming came from personal diaries / journals & a wealth of retained letters, both fan based, legal & press cuttings.

The book, for me showed what a deep love Tina had for Wyngarde but she’s been pretty straight about the relationship, warts & all.

Whilst Wyngarde was clearly a ‘sex god’ of his times he never comes across as ‘full of himself’. Well educated & a master of his art it’s sad to see how he faded in the later years & a shame there’s not a wealth of video footage of the man’s performances or interviews.

A benchmark of biog’s for sure.”

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Reviewed by Montgomery Hunstanton in the United Kingdom on 22 January 2023

“This book is one of the best biographies I have ever read and I have read many, many biographies and autobiographies.”

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Reviewed by GM2 in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2022

“It’s a great read about the late actor Peter Wyngarde about his personal and public life, It is highly recommended.”

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Reviewed by Mr Nije in the United Kingdom on 14 November, 2022

“A very large book, but no element of padding. A detailed biography forms the first half with the author’s own memoir of living with Peter the second. It is the latter that is the most heart wrenching.

The story of a complex man capable of great kindness and generosity, but also scathing wit and criticism. A truly magnificent actor, criminally under-employed following the sort of so-called “scandal” that wouldn’t get a second thought today. The cruelty of certain “journalists” (to use the term in its loosest possible context) and certain acquaintances of Wyngarde’s beggars belief. But the bullying, nasty nature of the neighbour named only as “TN” made my blood boil.

The final chapters are not an easy read and I’d defy anyone not to have tears in their eyes by the end. The impact of the book stayed with me for a long time afterwards. My gratitude, my thoughts and my very best wishes to Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins.”

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Simon Wright on 23 April, 2022

“Congratulations on writing this book. What an insight into this talented man who lived in a bygone period never to be seen again.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Dave Restorer on 23 April, 2022

“One of the best books ever written!!! Couldn’t put it down!!!!“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Terry on 6 March, 2022

“I’ve got to admit that the most I knew about Peter Wyngarde was that he was in Department S, Jason King, an episode of The Avengers, was No 2 in an episode of The Prisoner and was Klytus in the 1980 Flash Gordon film.

I didn’t know that at 14 he was put in the Lunghua civilian internment camp in Shanghai when the Japanese seized the city in 1941 or that he had appeared in hundreds of theatre shows and TV series.

I didn’t know that during his heyday he was mobbed by screaming fans wherever he went or that he was apparently wrongly convicted of a misdemeanour in Gloucester or that he was hailed as one of the UK’s best screen and theatre actors.

Or that he recorded a couple of albums or… Well let’s just say after reading this book I learned there was more to Mr Wyngarde, than the flamboyant Mr King. A very enlightening and interesting read.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Anthony Ashton on 11 January, 2022

“I enjoyed this book immensely from start to finish. Department S and Jason King were and still are one of my favourites but there was so much more to Peter Wyngarde than these two TV series. I strongly recommend you read this book and I personally found the ending very touching. Congratulations to Tina for writing it and researching it so thoroughly. A job magnificently done.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Agedrockchick on 30 November 2021

“Very interesting book but also very entertaining”.

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Jane Kinnear on 26th April 2021

“This is one of the most moving and heartfelt biographies I have ever read. I certainly wasn’t prepared to be moved to tears by it by any means, but that’s exactly what happened!

The early chapters of the book deal mainly with his professional achievements and accolades, and while there is just a ‘sprinkle of spice’ due to some revelations of the private man himself, it’s the later chapters that truly hit home on an emotional level. I think this is because the author and her subject seem to have shared something quite magical together, and these later chapters reveal not just a famous name with all the false ‘image’ and public expectations and misconceptions that come with such a name, but a real human being. Flawed certainly, but ultimately a genuine and decent man. I ended up wishing I had known him myself!

I’m not going to even try to report the final chapters here, I’ll just say, unless you’re made of stone, be prepared to have tears in your eyes! Wonderful read!”

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Reviewed in Canberra, Australia

“Many of you over 50 may remember the camp late 60’s early 70’s show Department S and Jason King. This book chronicles the life of its star Peter Wyngarde beautifully and evocatively. An impressive effort its engaging and shows Peter and his life from the brutality of internment during WW2 to his career achievements in acting and the prejudice he suffered. I’m not normally motivated by biographies but Peter makes it a compelling read. Enjoy!”

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Linda Miller on 3 February 2021

“Excellent book, better than expected, would recommend to any Peter Wyngarde fan.”

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Reviewed in the USA by Clarice – 15th October, 2021

“Well, this book is very personal so there are many facts you can’t get anywhere else. I just red snippets because I just got it, but so far it’s very interesting story. Peter was NOT gay – so for all those of you unsure…

He was underrated actor on t.v and that’s a shame. I sure would have liked to see his name more often and so far he is in I Spy (60’s American t.v series) and few others.

The book also has a lot of pictures. A must buy book1!

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Robert C – 15th January, 2021.

“A truly wonderful book. Written with great affection. 524 pages. I couldn’t put it down.“

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Reviewed in the USA by Luis Maria Palma – 15th January, 2021.

“An amazing portrait of an exceptional actor who was also an ageless icon of style and brilliance.

His perfectionism, work ethic, humor and -even- mesmerizing voice and body language can now be appreciated under a different and revealing light.

Masterfully written, with first-hand knowledge, unique sentiment and a myriad of meaningful and funny anecdotes and accounts to enjoy and better understand an out-of-the-box personality.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom by Soton Chris on 11 January 2021.

“This is one of the most interesting biographies I have ever read. I was mainly aware of Peter Wyngarde as the Jason King character he portrayed, which was a bit before my time. But he also had an equally impressive CV that encompassed theatre, film and TV long before Department S came along. I also discovered that for a brief spell in the 1950s he lived in my home town, which is where he met his future wife who was an actress.

This fascinating and very in-depth book written by Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins, his companion and soulmate for thirty years, charts his life from early childhood and tough life in a Singapore internment camp under the Japanese, his breakthrough into acting and subsequent road to international stardom.

Peter’s flamboyant life is meticulously pieced together from the author’s vast collection of letters, cuttings, photo’s and personal anecdotes, painting a vividly real picture of the sharply dressed and sharply witted man, that is at times, laugh out loud hilarious.

Although he could be accused of being ‘difficult’ to work with on stage or set, it comes across that Peter Wyngarde was a perfectionist in his work and expected similar high standards from his fellow cast members – but that also can be tempered with the reputation he had of being very kind and supportive to colleagues, friends and fans alike.

The highly publicised incident that occurred in the actor’s private life is covered, but the author also examines – and dissects – the shockingly huge amount of misinformation that exists about him on the web and that has been written about him in the press – not to mention other biographies!

The latter part of the book chronicles the personal/professional frustrations Peter encountered in his later years, his declining health and the loving relationship he had with Tina. It is funny and touching, but also very moving.

It’s such a shame that in his later years he didn’t get the work or recognition he deserved. I’ve recently been watching the Harry Potter films with my young daughter… Peter would of been brilliant in them!“

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Reviewed by Shelley Hodgeson

“This is the most detailed and insightful biography you will ever read. It is informative, enlightening, moving and lively- giving an absorbing account of the life of a talented and cultured man. It is well written and well researched and an excellent read.”

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Andrew Stocker – Actor

“An excellent book. Highly Recommended.”

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2021

“This is an extremely interesting and informative biography written by Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins (née Bate) who founded The “Hellfire Club” Official Peter Wyngarde Appreciation Society (inspired by a brilliant episode of The Avengers TV series “A Touch of Brimstone” starring Peter as the leading villain). The Society has a Facebook group page with more than 1,000 members and Tina also publishes an excellent online blog all about Peter called “Hellfire Hall”.

The book is huge at more than 500+ pages and is profusely illustrated with many rare photographs including one of Peter and the author together. Indeed, it is clear from reading this highly informative biography that Peter loved Tina and Tina loved Peter and they even discussed getting married and having children at one point.

The author and other fans furthermore argue that the late Mr Wyngarde was heterosexual and that his much publicised arrest in 1975 was a “mental aberration”, while other sources and critics have claimed he was homosexual or bisexual. Tina cared deeply about Peter and looked after him and tended to his every need during his final years when sadly his health deteriorated.

One of my favourite horror films is “Night of the Eagle” (1962) with Peter Wyngarde as the leading star and so when I became aware his biography had been published by his former girlfriend I just had to order it!
All in all a very enjoyable read.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2020

I had the pleasure of reading Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins’ biography of Peter Wyngarde entitled “A Life Amongst Strangers”. I could not put this book down!

There was so much more to Peter Wyngarde than Jason King and this book is a compelling, entertaining look at Peter’s life, rich in detail. Ms. Wyngarde-Hopkins uncovers the private Wyngarde with extensive revelations of his family history through to his final days. The book is well-written and the reader will find themselves laughing out loud at some of Wyngarde’s observations on life in the theatre and his numerous encounters with well-known actors and actresses both in Europe and the United States throughout his career.

This book is time well-spent, especially for those who are interested in reading a fascinating life story. For me, reaching the end of the book was like saying good-bye to an old friend. It was nice knowing you, Peter Wyngarde.

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 November 2020

“Just finished this amazing book…if you have any doubt about purchasing this book…don’t, just do it you won’t regret it.

From the first page I was hooked, it took a little time to get through as I wanted to have some downtime and peace and quite while reading it. Beautifully researched and published, I liked how the book was split into two, Peter’s work and career and then Tina’s life with Peter. I found the end of the book pretty emotional and really felt for what Tina had gone through…I’m not ashamed to say that it made me cry. Peter Wyngarde was amazing man in ever sense of the word…and will be missed…people like that don’t come around everyday… Enough about me rattling on…just buy the book!!!“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2020 by C. Hunte

This is a really great biography about Peter Wyngarde.

I must admit that apart from watching and enjoying him in the TV series Department S and the Jason King TV, along with a few other episodes from The Saint and The Avengers, that was my limit. I always enjoyed his acting and hearing his great speaking voice. He had a magnetic presence that made you watch him and admire acting.

This book goes into his early life and brings out numerous interesting facts about him and his many other appearances on stage and screen. The many lies and untruths previously said about him have been really upsetting and very cruel.

Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins has written a brilliant. easy to read account of Peter’s life and times, bonding a very close relationship over many years until his death.

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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2020 by Todd D. Miller.

“This book is a study in contradictions. It is a breezy, entertaining read and yet it is full of documentation and fact at an astounding level of detail. It is enormously long yet not intimidating. The first-time author does not shy away from the pain experienced by the subject of the book–there is no attempt to cover up the foibles of a complex man–and yet the entire work is suffused with an affection which never becomes cloying. It is a masterful study of a life lived to the full–through triumph and heartbreak and everything in between, Peter Wyngarde navigated a minefield of personal and professional obstacles that would have destroyed a dozen careers. He took shrapnel from a few, and these are studied in detail. His later years and decline are also unflinchingly included.

This is like no other show-biz memoir I have ever read, because it has such a clear-headed drive to tell the truth, no matter how painful or embarrassing. This is a life–unvarnished, raw and powerful–and I can’t put the book down! What started as a fascination with Wyngarde’s voice as General Klytus in Flash Gordon and later his work in Department S and Jason King has brought me to want to learn more about the man behind the roles he played.

If you are similarly inclined, or enjoy reading about the lives of those who bring many of our dreams to life on the stage, in film and in television I recommend this volume without reservation. Especially the hardcover–a strong binding for so many pages is essential.”

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2020 by EAP of B

“I finished reading this book some time ago. But looking at some of the reviews it has taken me a while to get my thoughts together. What became immediately obvious is the fact that the reviews were from men in the majority. Which made me wonder – why?[1] A great deal of the comments were quite nasty. Bitching and catty. If someone disliked the man that much, why bother reading his book, I wonder?

There was a lot of fault picking about Tina (Bate[1] as I knew her, having been in the fan club since she set it up) and her relationship with Peter. Do these men have other information and knowledge of Peter that they weren’t letting on? [2]

I had been in the original fan club in the 1970’s set up by Jeanne Moss (not mentioned in the book) and met her once at a visit to see Peter in The King and I. I have met Tina once, on a fan club get-together. We were promised the man himself would be attending. He did not.[3] 

I used to to see Mr Wyngarde in as many productions as I could. I always sat in the same seat, central aisle on the end, row two or three. He was aware of this and would smile and wink at me when he took his curtain calls. Sometimes I would even go twice to the same play. I’ve been lucky to meet him personally a couple of times. He was nothing but entertaining, charming and generous. We had written to each other over the years too. I still keep the memorabilia to this day. I had been an ardent fan since first seeing him in Department S when I was ten years old. I always wondered why he didn’t make more TV appearances and films as he was a fine actor. With his dark brown voice, he should have done more voice overs.

As I became my elderly mother’s carer (Peter was exactly to the day one month older than her) I can fully sympathise with Tina who sounds like she did an admirable job being at his beck and call for years. She seems to have made his life richer. It was so sad how ill he became in the end. Much the same symptoms as both my parents.

My one criticism of the book is it didn’t appear as though it had been proof read. Who edited it? There were a lot of grammatical and spelling errors. Which surprised me. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learnt a lot of unknown facts. If people are still attacking him after his death, that is very sad. His sexuality? Who cares? Just let the poor man rest in peace.”

[1]. None of the men responsible for these abusive ‘reviews’ knew Peter, and in all but one case, ever met him. They know absolutely nothing about him save for what they’ve garnered from the tabloids.

[2]. It was hoped that Peter would attend only if time allowed. As it was, he was busy that weekend.

[3]. We had hoped that Peter would attend, time permitting, but no promise was ever made.

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2020 by Lee.

“This book isn’t a small biography that you normally get but a very lengthy tome that requires a lot of reading that is well worth the effort. As someone who only has a passing interest in biographies this one caught my attention as it seems to have got a few people hot under the collar as it goes against their own perceived theories on the gentleman in question. Now having never met him, I only have the book to go on but he seems to have genuinely loved the author as numerous notes, letters etc. that are in the book clearly show.

It is well written and you get a clear sense of the love and affection the writer has for Peter and also from Peter to the Author. What you get isn’t cozy at times and is very honest in its portrayal of the artist but you do get a more well rounded image of Peter. It is a roller coaster of a book because his career was full of ups and downs but one that will give you a feel for the man, his life and his relationships.

If you have a passing interest in 70’s TV then this book is a must buy, do not be put off by some of the negative comments as its a long read that deserves your full attention.“

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Reviewed in the UK by Carol Wallage

“Wonderful book – thoroughly enjoyable & ultimately very moving – thank you.”

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Reviewed By thealchemistdavid – 8th September, 2020

“Absorbing and well written an actor of many parts. Interesting, a very good autobiography, so much more to the man than I expected, an actor of the old school who stood apart from his contemporaries, remembered fondly as a camp buffoon as Jason King and Klytus in Flash Gordon but was also a serious classical actor and theatrical star. The final few chapters of his ill health and hospitalization were very sad and well written by his friend and the woman who truly loved him, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins.”

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Reviewed by EEEE in the United Kingdom on 23 August 2020

“I give this book 5 stars because I did enjoy reading it. However, there are some little niggling doubts in my mind about the author’s relationship with Mr Wyngarde.

After reading the book I’m still not sure what the relationship was. Was it a sexual relationship, or a purely platonic one? It could be argued that it doesn’t really matter, but it does matter if the reader want’s to fully understand the man. There is little doubt in my mind that the author loved him and cared for him admirably. I do think his talent was wasted because of a dalliance that in this day and age would not have made a difference and would not be looked on so harshly. But for me the book still left unanswered questions. If he was homosexual, then be honest about it. It cannot change what a talented actor he was and how his work should be celebrated.“

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Reviewed in the UK by Chai Barad@BaradChai·2h

“I read the book over the weekend…the depth of research is just phenomenal, terrific work.”

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Reviewed in the UK by Film & TV In Print @PrintFilm

“Spent the first three days of my holiday devouring the book. Highly recommended, a great page turner that was difficult to put down. I only knew Mr Wyngarde’s work from his appearances in the ITC shows so it was great to learn more about his work & life.”

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Reviewed in the UK by Glenn Jones – 15th June, 2021

“I’ve literally just finished this book – It’s a belter!

I’ve been a fan of PW since I watched Night of the Eagle on TV [by the light of my mothers Woodbine] and wanted to be him after Department S and Jason King. I had no idea of his amazing actors creds prior to his TV career, which are brilliantly and painstakingly recorded in the book.

I have to say the last chapters broke my heart – Well done Tina, not only for writing this – but for looking after him and being his ‘other half’. I must also say that [as a time served typesetter] the layout and typography of the book is fab…very easy to read.”

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Reviewed in Australia on 23 March 2020 by Wayne M. Webster

“Being a Peter Wyngarde fan a book about his career has been a longtime coming. So this book is a joy. A great book about his life and career. If you’re a fan of Department S and Jason King this is the book for you. Well done Tina.“

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2020 by D. Jones

“Having been a fan of thriller and espionage fiction for a very long time, Peter Wyngarde has long been one of my heroes along with the likes of Roger Moore, Patrick Mcgoohan and Sean Connery.

This book is written in two halves, the first gives us an exceptional account of his origins and early years. The author captured his humour and personality through the stories and quote’s given, which where a delight to read.

His career highs and lows, worldwide adulation (thousands of screaming Australian women mobbing airports and pretty girls abound), scandals and dedication to his acting craft are lovingly described.

The second half of the book deals with the relationship between the author and Mr Wyngarde. Again we get a first hand account of the man’s personality and style. Peter was lucky to have four people, Tina the author, Thomas and Mitzi to be around him I’m his final days.

Highly recommended, detailed and a pleasure to read. A very worthy account of this cult actors life and career. 10/10″

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Reviewed in Germany on April 17, 2020 by Mag. Eva Schoen

“I really enjoyed reading the book. It offered so many insights into Peter`s long and rich career and private life. I love its structure and richness. It draws a marvellous picture not only of Peter but also Tina’s life with him. I was deeply touched when reading it.

In particular, I liked not only the long listing of the parts that Peter had played, but also his personal remarks and all the comments and critics given. This made the story so vivid. It was very interesting to get so many perceptions of his work and the work on set, not to forget the funny aspect of many a story.

The second part of the book is very touching. I was saddened about all the health troubles Peter had and his brave struggle with them. It was good that he had Tina as great support.

To sum up, I would like to state that this book is an outstanding work, rendering Peter’s life story in a magnificent manner.“

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Written in the UK on 13 June, 2020 by Mary Emerton

“I’ve read this book and agree wholeheartedly with the review. I knew little of Peters private life until now and found the book both informative and touching. I can remember the incident in 1974 and how I felt about it then as a young adult. It’s true I was shocked and a little disgusted, but with age comes an understanding and a feeling of empathy that I didn’t have then. I know he was a great and talented actor and after reading the book I think he was a kind and sensitive man. So sad to read about his difficulties in later years which moved me to tears. It is woeful that one incident defined the rest of his life and deplorable that it stopped him being recognised properly for his wonderful work.”

“I have it Tina its a magnificent effort, its almost like you didn’t write this but simply channelled Peter (I hope that comes across as a compliment) i am truly moved by the love and dedication shown.”

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2020 by Freddie Valentine

“I’ve been a fan of Peter Wyngarde for decades and was really looking forward to reading – the first biography of the legendary actor.

The book is a HUGE tome but you will whizz through it in no time. There has always been a lot of mystery and gossip about PW and it’s always been hard to find much information about him which was even more difficult in the pre-internet era. Tina, the author, ran the official appreciation society (and still does via a Facebook group) and for many years has provided his fans with information and was very helpful to me when my band recorded a song about Jason King in the 90s.

Now, she has written this book covering all of Peter’s life and it’s a brilliant read. Packed with details and trivia that many fans will find new to them. It’s written in a brilliantly clear and concise way and thoroughly enjoyable.

There are two sections- the first is a biography of PW’s earlier career and goes into detail about the various plays he appeared in leading up to his big break on television. It’s a great read and Tina has done her research. The book is also peppered with some rare photos, many rarely seen before.

The second half covers the period from Tina meeting Peter right up to his sad passing in 2018. This part of the book is fascinating as PW is shown here warts and all and gives an insight into the life of this eccentric and loveable legend. Tina was PWs closest friend for many years and their affection for each other shows in this part of the book and is very touching. A great read from start to finish.”

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This fascinating biography paints a beautifully honest and vividly detailed portrait of the intelligent, talented, charming, complex, multi-faceted actor and star that was Peter Wyngarde. Without doubt one of the finest actors and best loved and respected actors of his generation.

The book charts his rise to glories in the English theatre, his television superstardom and the scandal, persecution and misrepresentation that all but ruined a wonderful career. The author goes some way in redressing the balance and setting the record straight. The book is full of humour and funny stories. It is also, essentially, a story of unconditional love.

The final chapters are utterly moving as the author takes us through her journey of caring for the now elderly, frail and ill-used by others, man she loves, to the end of his life. The book is a wonderful tribute and testimony to a so very special and unique man. I had the rare honour to meet Peter when he was quite elderly and he was utterly charming to me. I said to him “You are one of the very finest actors of your generation and it is a crime you have not been given more quality work over the past 20 or 30 years.” “Quite so” he sadly replied “Quite so”. This book is a piece of work that Peter, I’m sure, would be proud of.

Other comments and reviews

“Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins’ has written a most remarkable biography of Peter Wyngarde; he really couldn’t have had a more devoted biographer, whose book is full of fascinating stories and anecdotes from his life and career. She has delved, researched, discovered, analysed, and championed a great actor, who was once recognised as one of the most exciting stage performers on the planet. Well done! This is an essential book for anyone who values this extraordinary man and his work. It’s a large book that needs patience to get through, but his was a long, intense and brilliant life.”

Steven Berkoff – Actor, Writer, Director

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“I was told sometime back that a book would be written about the life of Peter Wyngarde. For those of you who are too young, he was a character actor known for playing Jason King in ‘Department S’.

Peter was an incredible actor with a huge array films and TV shows under his belt, playing with some of the theatre’s greatest stars. He had a charismatic life both laced with sadness and scandal; the latter of which is known by those who really knew him to be filled with falsehoods. One of those people is the author, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins, who has written this book, and has done so lovingly and with the respect he deserves.

She has diligently captured his life; the final 30-years of which she spent with him as his long term friend and partner. The book is due out soon from all outlets – both shops and online.

Me? Well I was a friend of Peter’s, who worked with him for many years on projects, details of which are in the book, so you’ll have to buy it to find out.

For fans of 70s TV, this is a must-have.”

Tim V – Lead Singer of legendary Punk band, Sham 69

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The author sent me a review copy of her massive biography for an honest review. I’m really glad to have found so many facts and interesting background on one of the heroes of my youth, starring in Department S as Jason King. Peter Wyngarde was always loud in his clothes, he was so quick-witted and larger than life in that TV series. But what about the person behind this role?

Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins describes in the first part of the book his home, his parents, WW2 days and his relationship to women like Rosameurde and Dorinda. We then switch to London and his work for TV and the theatre. There are many fine testimonials from the press to underline how well perceived his appearances were. You’ll also find many letters written by Peter himself to give an insightful view into his personality and thinking.

Chapter by Chapter Peter is brought back to life by his astute biographer. You’ll also hear about his ‘relationship’ with Alan Bates and his roles in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and ‘The Adventures of Ben Gunn’ – two adaptions of classic novels.

Peter was a man with a very long career, so here you get an excellent view on the 20th century from his sphere of influence. The film sets are described in a very detailed way and you will find yourself looking for many a lost DVD gems.

I loved the way the 70s are presented here; so lively, with Peter meeting the Gibb brothers from the Bee Gees in Carnaby Street. You can really see the scene inside your head with Stayin’ Alive playing aloud forming the soundtrack of that age.

Peter also was also an international advertising icon. He did ads for German men’s cosmetic company Tabac: ‘Peter Wyngarde smells… Great! For the man of action (I’m glad that I use those products myself on a daily basis since I was a youth).

After so many heights we read about the downfall of our hero due to a ridiculous episode (no spoilers here, but unimaginable why such a career came into decline after such a petty thing). Tina then describes him playing General Klytus in the ‘Flash Gordon’ movie (another unforgettable role).

She tells us many personal anecdotes about her and Peter. The episode with the DocMartens boots is extremely well done and remains forever saved on my mental hard-disc.

In the second part of this unique biography we get very personal insight into the life and further career of the icon. We see his decline of health, depression, dying family and friends, feuds with neighbours… every chapter starts with a letter from Peter to the author.

The chapters in the second part are very moving and show how deep Tina was in love with her Peter and what an admirable relationship they had over so many years; one is by their side when reading the pages of the book. We accompany Tina until’s Peter’s last day on earth and also come to know how the situation was for Tina after his death. At the end, we have a list of books referenced and recommended for further readings, although I can’t imagine you’d find a more detailed book on Peter than in book ‘A Life Amongst Strangers’.

To bring this long review to a conclusion. You get, in my opinion, one of the most detailed biographies on an actor ever written. No detail is left out- even very personal and some sexual points are spoken about. This is the very big picture. It hits you like Peter himself with his incredible performances and stylish accents.

After this comprehensive book, Peter comes back and lives again since legends never die. Highly recommended!

Peter Stadlera

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This is very much a game of two halves, to use a well worn analogy. Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins has been nothing but conscientious in detailing the factual, chronology of Peter’s early life and career; at times perhaps too much detail to absorb. However, every ‘I’ is dotted, every ‘t’ crossed.

For this reader, being a close friend of Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins, the story comes truly alive in the second act. Tina truly bares all in her memoirs of the 30 years she spent with Peter. At times outrageous and painfully funny, this reviewer knows first hand what it was to be embroiled in Peter’s exploits, when he had a bee in his bonnet over one thing or another. “Please, for love the life of Christ, can you find a mobile repair shop in Kensington High St., Can you find and download a specific BT phone manual?” Peter truly had a knack of recruiting a posse of backroom staff to manage his daily pecadillos.

Ultimately, there is sadness and poignancy that such a talent was allowed to fade – no, that is not true – a talent was shunned when there was obviously so much still to offer. Tina shared much of the final weeks with me; I believe I was the first person she called when the end came. There can be no disputing how that moment changed everything.

Although, it can never lay to rest the loss, I hope the writing of this tome is at least cathartic for its author. A Life Amongst Strangers can open the doorway to many more friends.

Andrew Calverley – Actor, Voice Artist and Writer

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A Life Amongst Strangers documents the long life of the quintessentially English actor who, for the Baby Boomers’ generation – those born between 1946 and 1964 – was synonymous with late Sixties/early Seventies cool and style. Peter Wyngarde would have made an ideal James Bond, as he was just as menacing (and considerably more nuanced) than Sean Connery – and frankly more talented than Roger Moore, whose archness he could have finessed; hence one could imagine him portraying Bond with more interest – and intellect – than any of the contemporaneous 007s.

However, the nearest Wyngarde came to a numeric role was guesting as Number Two in the iconic Prisoner series, in the episode “Checkmate” – just one of innumerable characters he played on television and film during a four-decade long professional career that included The Crossfire; The Avengers; The Siege Of Sidney Street; Burn, Witch, Burn; The King and I, and many others.

Wyngarde, of course, hit his professional and iconic zenith as the Sixties gave way to the Seventies via his starring roles in the smash hit Department S and its spin-off – even more successfully – Jason King. His already burgeoning profile catapulted to superstar status, and at the time he was receiving thousands of fan letters a week. He brought tremendous chutzpah and tongue-in-cheek aplomb to the creation Jason King and played it with enthusiasm and a knowing wink; something Mike Myers took to a comic post-modern extreme in the Austin Powers franchise three decades later.

This imperial phase in Peter Wyngarde’s career took a downturn following an arrest for something that would now not even be considered criminal, yet in 1975 was career-threatening; such was society’s outlook at the time. Yet he stoically dusted himself off to return to his theatre hinterland, enjoying continuing success until a late period revival came with the role of General Klytus in the 1980 blockbuster Flash Gordon. This part would rehabilitate his standing and cemented his reputation with cult audiences for the next forty years.

Ordinarily, this book would end there. The fact that it doesn’t shows an unusual dichotomy in that it almost splits Wyngarde’s life into two, almost equal, phases. Primarily it examines with care and respect his successful public career from the mid-Fifties to the mid-Eighties; and then secondarily – and more interestingly – the far more reclusive, private life he pursued from then to the end of his life, but obviously no life can be segmented so neatly – and so it is the case here.

From the mid-Eighties, the Author came into his orbit as the long-yearned-for missing piece of Wyngarde’s jigsaw, namely a solid, dependable sounding board, and increasingly his soul mate and companion as time progressed. Hence the Author brings a unique perspective to the icon’s day-to-day world for the final third of his life, showing an insight that only someone with the ‘inside track’ could garner.

The Author recalls the frailties of the book’s subject without being melodramatic or self-pitying and for the most part the restraint is admirable. This makes the end chapters heartbreaking, as the Author takes the reader through Peter Wyngarde’s final illnesses, with the couple’s home life scrutinised in raw detail. Yet the recollection of his domestic needs during his final illness are all-too-familiar as it never fails to engage with its themes of challenge, vulnerability and the struggles of the human condition common to us all.

This is highly recommended on its own terms and a must-read for fans of Peter Wyngarde and for its study of that uniquely ‘English gentleman’ paradigm that was so prevalent during the third quarter of the 20th century, making it a great character study in its own right; not least that of its courageous and insightful author.

Pete Old – Freelance Journalist and Writer

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“Peter Wyngarde – A Life Amongst Strangers” is both a meticulously researched showbiz biography and the story of the extraordinary thirty year relationship between Peter and the book’s author, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins. What is so compelling about the book is that as well as documenting the course of Peter Wyngarde’s remarkable career, Tina takes the reader behind the stage curtain and allows us to see fully and in three dimensions the man loved by so many for the wonderful characters he created.

To people who have viewed Peter Wyngarde only as a figure on a screen, or as a name in a bit of showbiz gossip, this book will be nothing less than a revelation – and no doubt a startling one as it will certainly shatter many widely-held preconceptions and myths. But clearly we all need to be reminded that the public figures who are the subject of both adoration and malicious gossip are real people with real lives and real feelings: this, Tina achieves in the most compelling way.

She conjures for us the story of a man of great talent and personal charisma, who by the force of his gifts and determination, rises out of a difficult childhood to reach the summit of his profession. As a work examining the history of British theatre and television from the Fifties onward, and Peter’s journey through it, it is filled with colourful and fascinating detail. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Peter’s story, however, is to fully grasp how, in the latter part of his career, this giant of the stage and screen – as eager as ever to work – finds his talents so sadly underused, due to forces both external and internal. Tina’s exploration of Peter’s life and career is as honest as it is eye-opening, and while she does not shy away from Peter’s more difficult characteristics and painful life experiences, the thread running through this book is a story of love and devotion that is deeply touching and ultimately heart-wrenching. Readers will certainly understand the author’s incorporation of “Wyngarde” into her name by the end of the book.

It is an intimate memoir in many ways – at times, painfully so. Tina conveys the ups and downs of a sometimes tempestuous relationship with uncommon frankness and openness.

Readers may be shocked by the candour of some of the disclosures in this book, but what emerges from the author’s account of Peter’s life is a portrait of Peter Wyngarde as a man as complex and filled with contradictions as any of us. And could we expect any less from the actor who brought the iconic Jason King – the ultimate maverick and non-conformist – to life so vividly? Indeed, Tina’s great achievement with this biography is in evoking for the reader the reality that behind the screen icon there was a real person, striving and struggling with the human frailties we all share – and as deserving of our empathy and our understanding as we would hope ourselves to be if similarly judged in the public spotlight. I have rarely read a biography that gives such a complete sense of its subject, both as an artist and as a real human being.”

Tania Donald – Author and Artist

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“Few actors transcend their craft to be regarded as enigmas in their own right, but one such individual was the uniquely talented actor Peter Wyngarde, who whilst best remembered for his portrayal of crimebusting author Jason King in the ITC series’ ‘Department S’ and ‘Jason King’, will also be fondly recalled as Number Two in the ‘Prisoner’ episode ‘Checkmate’.

‘A Life Amongst Strangers’ is the first authorised biography of Peter. It is written by Peter’s friend, companion, and organiser of his official fan club, Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins (read the book to find out how she came to take his name). It’s an in-depth, fascinating, and touching portrayal of one of ITC’s best-loved personalities.

The first half of the book is a straight-forward biography of his life and career and the second, a personal memoir of the Author as she describes the years she spent with Peter in an amazingly frank fashion. ‘The Prisoner’ is of course covered, and it’s lovely to read several quotes from Peter about working with the series and Patrick McGoohan. I couldn’t think of a notable appearance of Peter’s during this ‘golden age of TV’ not covered, and it all made for fascinating reading, with countless quotes from Peter, and others.

The research the author has put into the career aspects of the book is quite astonishing. I am by no means an expert on Peter’s life and/or career, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of each and every statement, but every aspect of his life which is discussed (yes, even those moments are covered!) has obviously been meticulously researched, as there are countless sources and documentation referred to and referenced throughout. If you felt you knew ‘the truth’ about Peter, this will make you think again.

After the look at his early life and career, we move into more recent times, and Tina’s personal story. It was a sad day for fans of classic TV and film when, in January 2018, Peter passed away, far too soon, after a short illness. The news was announced by Peter’s agent, Thomas Bowington, who had been with both Peter and Tina when he drew his last breath, and this event, and the weeks leading up to it, are covered in-depth in the final chapters of the book. I found this last part of the book difficult to read, not because it was bad, but because it was so ‘heartbreaking’ and touching to read, so how it must have been to actually experience the events described I can’t begin to fathom.

The only criticism (although, this could also be seen as a positive, depending on your point of view) is that perhaps the book at times becomes a little too personal, and whilst I trust the author and their sources, perhaps some opinions about some of the folk and events would have been better off not said. But then again, the author did not want a whitewash, or any stone unturned, so in that respect, it is a case of ‘job done’.

As I mentioned above, the research with regards to his career really is phenomenal, and the author has overall done Peter proud and I would thoroughly recommend this book. Do I now have a deeper knowledge of Peter’s career, and greater understanding of how life had shaped how he was? Definitely. Do I feel, having read it, that I know Peter Wyngarde? Probably not, but that’s just the way he would have wanted it.”

Rick Davy – Author and founder of The Unmutal Prisoner news website https://www.theunmutual.co.uk/ and Quoit Media Limited www.quoitmedia.co.uk 

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“I had the pleasure of reading Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins’ biography of Peter Wyngarde entitled “A Life Amongst Strangers”.  I could not put this book down!   

There was so much more to Peter Wyngarde than Jason King and this book is a compelling, entertaining look at Peter’s life, rich in detail.  Ms. Wyngarde-Hopkins uncovers the private Wyngarde with extensive revelations of his family history through to his final days.  The book is well-written and the reader will find themselves laughing out loud at some of Wyngarde’s observations on life in the theatre and his numerous encounters with well-known actors and actresses both in Europe and the United States throughout his career.   

This book is time well-spent, especially for those who are interested in reading a fascinating life story.   For me,  reaching the end of the book was like saying good-bye to an old friend.   It was nice knowing you, Peter Wyngarde.”

Ann McNeill, Toronto, Canada

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“With ‘A Life Among Strangers’ Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins has created a uniquely detailed record of the life and work of Peter Wyngarde. 

Writing from the rare viewpoint of having a long-standing personal relationship with her subject, this meticulously researched book opens the doors on Wyngarde’s world- from his early struggles as a child, through to a wide-ranging and successful career in theatre, film and television and beyond, providing an intimate personal memoir of living life with a pop culture icon.

In a life which swung from the highs of national and international fame to a time when the limelight faded, Wyngarde’s thoughts have, like the man himself, remained mostly private- until now; Wyngarde-Hopkins has not been afraid to tackle controversial issues in the actor’s life. As a result the book is a fascinating chronicle of a long life spent in the spotlight, and a candid look at the price of fame for such a public figure.” 

Al Samujh – Wolverhampton

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Facebook and Twitter (‘X’) Comments

I was Peter’s neighbour in Earls Terrace many moons ago. What a funny sweet guy. A hoot in the Residents Association! Steven Gilchrist – Twitter I need a copy of that in my life. Total legend. Rick Blackman – Twitter (Replying to news of ‘A Life Amongst strangers). That sounds great. Morris Bright MBE – Twitter The book is excellent and a complete education about Peter’s life from cradle to grave. It is not lacking in anything. You are incredibly generous with your very private memories and experiences and anyone reading it cannot fail to be shown the real Peter Wyngarde. Chris Williams – Facebook I bought the book several years ago – I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy for a friend’s Christmas present (it was he who first introduced me to Jason King, many years before). My appreciation for the significant efforts you clearly went to to give us a window into Peter’s life. Rohan Edward Baboohlal – Facebook I felt very satisfied with the book, and couldn’t put it down. I started about 8pm and didn’t stop I until I finished which which was about 6.30am – it was a fascinating page turner that you just simply had to read on and on. And its filled with all the important stuff and fascinating insights into Peter that anybody could ever desire to know. A bloody marvellous book! Paul Mohamed – Facebook I thought the book to be well written and can recommend it highly. Just for context of my comment, I knew Peter. Robin Bass – Facebook I purchased your book early this summer when I became aware of Peter’s work. It was an endearing and very interesting book about someone you obviously loved and adored. I felt that you gave more than enough information about Peter. Many biographies are a bit vague and lacking detail, but I did not feel this in your book. It was an engaging read and I feel is a must read if one wants to become fully knowledgeable about Peters life. Thankyou for writing this loving tribute that showed us a very human man (very occasional warts and all) . Shawna Khan – Facebook Well written, informative, couldn’t put it down! Excellent read, thank you Tina for writing it and sharing your memories of Peter! Laura Burns – Facebook

Further comments

Writer Nick Wray with his copy of the book.

“Arrived today…
Signed, Sealed, Delivered 😜
Set here with my original autograph from the man himself.” Dallas Harley Jones – London

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“Dear Tina, Oh my goodness, what a book!!!

I am about halfway through it. My Wife Elizabeth bought it for me, as I was a fan of Peters for many years. I can’t put it down Tina! It’s written so beautifully, with fondness and respect. I had hoped to meet Peter one day, in fact it almost happened. During the late 80’s a Prisoner function was organised in London, Peter I believe had been invited, but had stated he may be playing Tennis. Of course everyone was excited, but sadly he didn’t make it. I do wish more of his wonderful work was available!!! A true Gent, God bless Peter. Stay safe and well Tina!!!!” Dave Clarkey –

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Dear Tina,

Just to say thank you so much for your marvellous book, and for taking the trouble to sign and dedicate it, much appreciated. The gentleman concerned is something of a personal televisual hero of mine, and it’s wonderful to have in my possession his life story, told and personally signed by someone who was so close to him.

With kind regards,
Peter Thorndike, Bournmouth

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“Just received my hardback signed copy from Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins in perfect condition may I add for any sad trolls out there. Can’t wait to delve into this amazing book, well done Tina ♥️” Chris Oaten

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“Tina, thank you ever so much for writing the book about Peter. It is glorious and really sets the record straight! Illegitimati non carborundum.” Magnus Möller – Portland, Oregon

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“As usual I read the back first, then the beginning, then sections in between and then from start to finish. It is one of the best biographies I have ever read.” David Glennon – Clacton-on-Sea

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“I am absolutely thrilled to have this book in my collection – it really has exceeded my expectations. This is truly an impressive piece of work, particularly because of the author’s frankness, and for the amount of detail regarding Wyngarde’s work and his struggles. His own insights ring very true for me, as I’ve learned that people in this industry can be merciless and cruel towards anyone with a true sense of self.” Seth Little – Vancouver, Canada

“Birthday present” Harry Agicourt – Hartlepool

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“First class piece of writing. I’m loving it. I’m also looking for a suitable place to hang my two personally dedicated photos that Peter signed for me in my new home.” Vince Ferguson – Upminster

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“It’s arrived at last!” Tim V.

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“I have just finished reading this quite extraordinary book. It is an insightful, carefully written narrative, outlining the life and work of this sometimes rather outre, but often somewhat naive person, who gave so readily to those undeserving of his time and sympathy. His obvious talents were outlined in great detail, but at no time was there any attempt whatsoever to portray him in anything other than a loving and truthful way, giving a full account of his strengths and weaknesses. A must-read for those fans who are eager to learn so much more about this utterly unique and remarkable actor, and man.” Fiona van Deventer – Blandford Forum

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“I’ve finished the book Tina and thoroughly enjoyed it…I didn’t want it to end! So much detail and I truly believe this will be the gold standard of any book on Peter’s life and career. Written with so much love,depth and understanding. Bless you Peter…and thank you Tina.” Will Bird

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“I found this much anticipated book to be the most moving and insightful biography I have ever read. The writer brings Peter Wyngarde’s unique personality to life on the page in a way that is a true and loving tribute to a great and versatile actor and a cultured and caring man. It is a wonderful read packed full of insights and anecdotes. The devotion of the writer to her subject shines through like a beacon.” Shelley Hodgson

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“At last! Amazon France has just delivered to our village my copy of The Book. Civilisation survives even amid this crisis! God’s at least in his heaven.” Jeremy Stubbs – Vaux-sur-seine, France  

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“WOW – this book is great! although I have been erratic with it by speed reading the second half before going to the beginning to take my time more! I am back on track halfway to the end of the second half. I’ve tended to read at bedtime since my Uni days when I spent a lot of the day reading, but this has meant reading into the night and since I have not been able to put the book down until I’m seeing double and my arms ache ( I knew I shouldn’t have bough the hard back version!!!) I am exhausted… but it has been well worth it. Well Done, Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins. Luanne Sharman – Worthing

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“One of my favourite & most candid interviews ever was with Peter Wyngarde after I tracked him down for @doctorwho_magazine. He was gloriously unguarded & bitingly witty. So you can imagine my delight at receiving this today. One for all the Jason King fans out there perhaps?” Liam Rudden – Columnist, The Edinburgh Evening News

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“Thank you for the wonderful and extremely informative book, Tina!! A great job! I especially like how you shared your own relationship with Peter and the experiences and feelings you had! It was very vulnerable and touching!” Susan Patterson – Alameda, California

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“I am nearly halfway through the book already,  and am finding it utterly mesmerising. Wish I could read it all in one go, but chores get in the way!” Fiona Van Deventer – Blanford Forum

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“Dearest Tina,

I have just finished reading your book about Peter. It was so compelling that I read it straight through in one go. Peter’s career as an actor was one I followed since I first saw him in Flash Gordon when I was 5 years old. Not only did the book satisfy my appetite for learning the breadth of his career, your memoirs about your relationship with Peter warmed my heart. You were both lucky to have found each other and every one should have a partner as loving, caring and devoted as you. In addition, Thomas is the epitome of a good soul and supportive friend.

Though Peter is no longer in the physical realm, his spirit is gonna watch over you and be a guiding force, forever proud and loving. With You and Thomas as the custodians of Peter’s legacy, no one should have any doubt that it’s in the best of hands.

Love and light to you always,

Mick Cantone – New York, USA

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“I’m enjoying the book immensely Tina. Your meticulous research is INCREDIBLE and it’s written in such a straight forward style. God bless to you and of course dear Peter. LONG LIVE THE KING. “ Chris Honey – Manchester

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“Some great information in the book. Brilliant work and a fascinating read!” Freddie Valentine – Scarborough

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“The book is perfect, and having read a good part of it I find it to be well written and very informative!! I can’t wait to read it all. Peter Wyngarde was a wonderful actor and sadly not in more films with his screen presence and beautiful rich speaking voice. Well done to author Tina for letting us into Peter’s life. Absolutely worth reading even if you aren’t well acquainted with this great actor’s work.” Diane Brierley – Oldham

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“Got mine today 😊” Tony Barlow – Bedford

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“Just received my hardback copy today. Looks wonderful. What some rare photos are included.

I loved the photo of Peter in St Joan at the Arts Theatre. I played on that stage a couple of times myself and well remember the documentary about Siobhan McKenna where dear Peter O’Toole remembered seeing the production when he was a RADA student and said what a wonderful cast with “Peter Wyngarde”.

When I met Peter in 2009 the book “King Of TV” had just come out. Peter said to me “Who is this man? He didn’t ask my permission! Have you read it?” I said “No Peter, I’ve not read it but I know he’s the fellow who writes all the Prisoner books and guides. He wrote a similar one on Pat McGooghan. It’s an homage, I’m sure, a tribute to you, not written to make money.” He was very upset about that book.

He’ll be so pleased (I can see him smiling) that you have written the definitive and authorised story of Peter’s life. As a student of, and lover of, British Theatre History, I am so looking forward to reading about all Peter’s accomplishments at last. What I’d been urging him to write himself all those years ago. “Oh, but Ian, it’s sooo boring writing about oneself.” Perhaps you could do some book signings at conventions, Tina? I met Peter at the Memorabilia (now Comic Con) at the NEC in Birmingham. Well done you for putting the record straight and for such a beautiful memorial to the dear fellow.” Ian Kelland

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“My copy arrived earlier this week and I have to say, it really is a fascinating read, with much that I didn’t know about Peter and so much information – this is without doubt the definitive book.” Paul Goodhead – Worcester

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“Hi Tina. Just to let you know Paul and I have received our books. Thank you! You should feel very proud of your achievement in producing a wonderful and fitting tribute to this amazing man and I look forward to reading it. And to have it signed is the cherry on the top!” Gary Warner – Middle Rasen, Lincolnshire

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“My husband is thrilled with it!” Beverley Achilles

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Photo from Steve Cannell, Northampton.

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“Well done Tina, amazing book…. many, many thanks for writing it.” Mark Williams – Morecambe

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“Have received my copy of this most excellent book this morning. Looks great! Looking forward to reading it very much.” Helen Holmes

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“My book arrived this afternoon (11.03.20) after being told by Amazon that it wouldn’t arrive until late April !! A great surprise.” Wayne Webster

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The following reviews and comments were written in response to a small group of ‘Troll Reviews’ posted online:

James. J. McNaughton: May 26, 2020

“I am with Ms Andre on this, and I’m truly shocked to see that website admins are still willing to afford this bunch a platform from which to hound and bully the author of this book. I had the misfortune to read some of the obscene garbage they’ve written about her on other websites and it made my stomach churn. When I myself attempted to defend the lady against them, like a pack of rabid wolves they immediately railed on me. I understand that others who have penned positive reviews of the book have suffered similarly.

It is evident first and foremost, that these trolls are fearful to use their real names when posting these remarks and appraisals, which speaks volumes (the name ‘Kenny Grice’, for instance, has been taken from a person that is referred to several time in the book). Also, their vocabulary is clearly extremely limited as they invariably repeat the same threadbare mantra wherever they materialize. Secondly, they incessantly advocate that they themselves possess some inner knowledge of Wyngarde’s life which they are doggedly unwilling to impart; for instance, in their suggesting that the second half of the book is nought but a “fantasy”. If these guys are as clued up as they insist, why have they not openly challenged Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins (by open I mean, drop the online pseudonyms, cease with the foul and abusive language, and either confront the woman in a civilised manner or, alternatively, write a book of their own).

My feeling is that there isn’t a man or woman amongst them that had ever met Peter Wyngarde, let alone been privy to his private life; a few well-chosen questions in their direction would almost certainly demonstrate that (I note that Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins herself has always been honest and open; never shying away from answering any inquiry).”

Allen Frodsham May 28, 2020

“I don’t know what Messrs “John”, “Kenny Grice”, “Paul Metcalf” and “Simon Milburn” have been reading but it’s certainly not the same book as I read! That said, I’m confident that if this biography had been bound in 950-grade platinum and blessed by the Pope, this ill-disposed mob of malcontents would have penned the same bitter and twisted appraisal that they’ve given here.

Peter Wyngarde:- A Life Amongst Strangers is the best biography/memoir I’ve ever had the delight to study. The research that has gone into it is utterly phenomenal, and it’s honesty in painting Wyngarde as a living, breathing human being with all his flaws, is commendable. I believe that it is an invaluable contribution to the history of film, television and theatre that would not be out of place in any respected archive devoted to the arts. Apart from the bogus reviews by those named above, each of which has been spread liberally across the ‘net in identical language, this book has received 5-Stars across the board.

It speaks volumes that in his Afterword, the highly respected actor and director Steven Berkoff, writes: “Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins has written a most remarkable biography of Peter Wyngarde; he really couldn’t have had a more devoted biographer, whose book is full of fascinating stories and anecdotes from his life and career. She has delved, researched, discovered, analysed, and championed a great actor, who was once recognised as one of the most exciting stage performers on the planet. Well done!” As a successful author himself, he should know! It certainly renders “Paul Metcalfs” derisory “dull as dishwater” jibe moot.

In reference to “Kenny Grice’s” remarks about Wyngarde’s sexuality, one must ask why he is so obviously desperate for the actor to be gay? Might “Grice” himself be harbouring some kind of latent homosexuality of his own, hence his use of Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins as a target for his vitriol? Put plainly, had she managed to get what he so frantically desired, but failed to obtain? It would certainly explain the incessant outpourings of hate I’ve witnessed on various online forums.

Incidentally, I didn’t notice anything at all in the book that could possibly constitute “revenge”, so it’s unclear as to what that comment is referring to specifically All I’m able to recall is a no-nonsense coverage of the facts. People really shouldn’t play the victim to circumstances they no doubt created in the first place.“

Desmond Hughes: May 29th, 2020

“I agree with Allen Frodsham. I haven’t a clue what these people are wittering on about either. Having read the book myself, in the case of Wyngarde’s “blood” family, I’d saythat the author was far more sinned against than sinning.

As a writer myself, fiction is arguably the most difficult of disciplines, so to liken the second part of the book to a script from Fantasy Island implies that the author has an inordinately fertile mind to have filled a book of over 500 pages purely from her own imagination. And imagine the risk she’d be taking in quoting the likes of Steven Berkoff , Joel Fabiani and Sam J. Jones – all of whom, I understand, were close friends of Wyngarde’s, with each acknowledging Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins for what she professes to be. To quote Sam J. Jones from his foreword, “Tina’s life story of Peter is a must-read from the one who knew him best.” I would think that any sober-minded person would take the word of Jones, Berkoff and Fabiani over that of an internet troll.“

Adam D. Cutler: May 29, 2020

“In response to Kenny Grice’s (sic) statement that the memoir part of PETER WYNGARDE: A LIFE AMONGST STRANGERS is “creepy”. In my view, there’s nothing more disturbing than a fixated man spending month after month abusing a lone woman from behind a computer screen.

Brilliant book by the way. Five stars.”

Sarah Colby: May 30, 2020

“I bought a copy of this biography on the recommendation of the Hollywood Reporter–that would be the Hollywood California, not Hollywood Worcestershire–and I’m so grateful to them that I did. Unfortunately, I was then ill-fated enough to read the reviews posted by the Gang of Four up top… When I finally stopped laughing I decided to, firstly, thank Archive Television Musings (one of my favourite blogs) for featuring this awesome book and, secondly, to add my own thoughts to the thread.

It’s obviously escaped our friends, Mr Grice and Co. that in order to write a GENUINE assessment of a book you actually have to read AND understand it. Sadly, this quartet of naysayers appear to have done neither. I found PETER WYNGARDE—A LIFE AMONGST STRANGERS to be the absolute polar opposite to “dull” and the latter half, rather than being “creepy”, was both inspiring and extremely moving.

There has been so much speculation and misinformation written about Peter Wyngarde over the years that some people have become so accustomed to it that they now refuse even to consider an alternative perspective. I found Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins depiction of the events in Gloucester back in ’75 to be impeccably researched–relying on Wyngarde’s own diary entries and on original court transcripts which were not available to newspapers at the time. Latterly, she both analysed and put forth a compelling, reasoned argument against the kind of Chinese Whispers-style reporting of events that has taken place over the ensuing years. This was in sharp contrast to ‘Kenny Grice’, who was only able to muster one word: “Ridiculous”. It’s little wonder that he’s removed from his own website and each of the forums he’s visited, any means of response or enquiry—most probably because his wild theories and mindless arraignments wouldn’t stand up to even the most rudimentary examination. To my knowledge. Wyngarde never so much as hinted at being gay in any of his interviews or statements, so I’d be most interested to see the indisputable evidence that these detractors claim proves otherwise. I’ll wager my last dollar that none of them ever came within a 30-mile radius of the actor, which would explain why they are so keen to keep their real identities hidden. But while these people continue to insist that Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins is a liar, then it must follow that everyone who contributed to her book are liars too. I wonder how far they’d get in looking Steven Berkoff and Sam J Jones in the eye and calling THEM frauds? I don’t fancy their chances!

On a more positive note, anyone who enjoys British film, theatre and television, regardless of being a fan of Peter Wyngarde or not, would not go amiss in reading this book, as it’s full of fascinating anecdotes, letters and narratives about many of the actors and directors that Wyngarde worked with over the years. It’s also a lesson in decency, love and loyalty that some people would do well to emulate rather than constantly spreading hate, derision and abuse.“

Jacky Holte: June 2nd, 2020

“Sarah Colby is absolutely right. To be able to write a genuine, considered appraisal of a book, one actually has to have read and understand it first. I’m almost certain that those responsible for the supposed critiques above have done neither. In fact, there’s little doubt in my mind that they’d all decided far in advance of its publication what they’d write.

Troll, or ‘Shill Reviews’, are the unfortunate side of the Kindle revolution. Anyone intent on badmouthing a particular book or author on a worldwide platform such as Amazon, can do so by purchasing a Kindle version at very little cost, thereby giving themselves ‘Verified Purchaser’ status and additional influence in relation to the star rating system. I noticed that literally within a couple of hours of ‘Peter Wyngarde – A Life Amongst Strangers’ being published a Shill Review had appeared on Amazon. In view of the fact that the tome contains almost 550 pages, this would suggest that either the critic was an exceptionally fast reader, or that the review had been penned PRIOR to the book hitting the shops.

In respect of the kind of bullying this particular author has received:- While every one of us is entitled to an opinion, it doesn’t make it fact, nor does it give us a free pass to harass or bully. Certainly in this instance, the road from moderate disbelief to rampant persecution has been an incredibly short walk. When one has to resort to such tactics, you’ve already lost. From what I’ve witnessed of their handiwork, i.e. the publication of Ms Wyngarde-Hopkins private papers (including medical records); the profane and abusive language; the obscene suggestions – these people are desperate indeed!

Oh, and would someone PLEASE explain to ‘John’ what a memoir is.“

Click here for: Press Reviews

Purchase the book here:

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© Copyright The Hellfire Club: The OFFICIAL PETER WYNGARDE Appreciation Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/813997125389790/

If you’re visiting this section, then it’s likely that you’ve read, ‘Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers’.

Below you’ll find some of the letters and other documents referred to in the biography, plus additional information relating to the stories you’ve read.

Above: A photograph of Dorinda Stevens. The inscription to her husband, Peter, reads: “Darling – if you miss me – whistle…!“

The data above is taken from the 1953/54 Electoral Register. Peter and his wife, Dorinda, are recorded as living at 9, Holland Park Road, London.

In a 1973 newspaper columnist and author, Ray Connolly, attempted to cast aspersions on Peter’s marriage to Dorinda, when the evidence of their relationship was already in the public domain.

In 2018, amateur journalist, Gavin Gaughan, referred to this obvious piece of nonsense in his censured ‘Obituary’* following Peter’s death. Gaughan had previously been insistent that Peter’s marriage had been a fable – suggesting that it was merely an invention to disguise the actor’s supposed homosexuality. He was wrong, and not for the first OR last time.

*See later in this section

Above: A letter from Dorinda Wyngarde to her husband while he was filming ‘Alexander the Great’ in Spain.

Above: Letter to Peter from (Sir) Peter Hall.

Above: Taken from the 1957/58 Electoral register: Peter living at 11, Newton Row, with his then girlfriend, Ruby Talbot.

Above: Letter to Peter from actor, David Peel.

Above: The original tenancy agreement that Peter signed for Flat 1, 1 Earls Terrace. In his book, ‘Otherwise Engaged: The Life of Alan Bates’, American author, Donald Spoto, insisted that Peter and Bates had moved into the flat in 1956 but, as can clearly be seen, Peter moved in alone in November 1958.

Above: Hardly a love-letter! A handwritten note to Peter from actor, Alan Bates.

Above: A cutting from the 24th November, 1960 edition of the Detroit Free Press.

Above: The handwritten poem seen at the beginning of Chapter Seven.

Above: Documentations that authorise Wyngarde Productions as a Registered Company.

Above: Peter’s handwritten lyrics for ‘Why Do Taxi Drivers Talk So Much’ – a song he’d written for his album, but which didn’t make the final cut.

Above: The contract between Peter Wyngarde and RCA for his (in)famous album.

Above: An original letter from Scoton Ltd. concerning Department S and Jason King.

Above: Original contract between Wyngarde Productions and Scoton Limited to secure the services of Peter Wyngarde for the Jason King series.

Above: Peter’s diary entry for Monday, 20th October, 1975: “A new life starts” (page 262).

Above: Peter’s mother, ‘Madge’, with his Afghan Hound, Yussef.

Above: A handwritten letter from Peter’s sister, Marion. It demonstrated how distant the family had become when she was obliged to ask their mother for Peter’s address, even though he’d lived in the same flat for almost 20 years by this point!

Above: Peter’s sister, Marion, and her husband, Charles.

Above: Having been the victim of a supposed ‘sex scandal’ himself in 1975, Peter comments on the incident involving actor, Hugh Grant, and LA call girl, Divine Brown (Estella Marie Thompson) in June 1995.

Above: Peter doesn’t mince his words when dealing with ‘Kenny Grice’.

Above: An email dated 9th January, 2000, in which Peter describes the difficulties he experienced with his computer. Page 323. He also makes mention of a story that had appeared in a local newspaper about him and me which, he claimed, had originated from celebrity photographer, Allan Warren.

The following article (see below, left) appeared on a website of entitled The Tap News Wire in 2012. The author of the piece had such confidence in his story that he chose to hide behind the username ‘Tapestry’. Pages 391-392.

Much of this supposed exposé (below, right) originally appeared on The Nottinghamshire Rainbow Heritage – The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender history project website for Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, but as can be noted, it did not mention Peter at all.

When seen side-by-side, it’s easy to see how the story has been manipulated to fit the author’s obviously bigoted agenda. This article would inevitably be reproduced or referenced by others in blogs and on online forums. This, for instance, was posted on http://www.morrissey-solo.com – a website devoted to the singer, Morrissey – by a character from Birmingham calling himself, ‘Famous When Dead’:

“He certainly was a character. Renowned for picking up rent boys and getting arrested in the mid ’70s for ‘gross indecency’ in Gloucester bus station toilets (with the BBC bailing him out of all sorts of trouble). I can see how the juxtaposition of a ‘ladies’ man’ image being called ‘Petunia Winegum’ by his peers might appeal to Moz (Morrissey).”

This goes to prove how easily one malicious individual with an agenda but little knowledge, can influence the impressionable.

N.B. The atrocious spelling, grammar and layout in The Tap version are “Tapestry’s” own, as it has been reproduced verbatim.

Above: Peter on how the press, bloggers and gossips – none of whom could speak with any kind of authority about him – had blighted his life.

Above : Peter recounts the episode referred to in my book (Page 282) when he was taken to court by a young woman who claimed he was the father of her baby. Despite such evidence, some desperate and evidently misinformed detractors STILL persist in insisting that Peter was 100% homosexual, and had never so much as looked at a woman. Well here it is in his own hand! See also the story earlier on this page regarding his encounter in a classic Thunderbird car – again told in his own handwriting.

To give you an opportunity to see the photos from the book more clearly…

Below: Mini-plays and scenarios that Peter would write about the Greek villa he and I planned to buy together – (see pages 380-381)

Greetings Cards: From Peter to me

Above: While we were on holiday in Turkey in 2003, Peter gave me this birthday card along with a 22 carat gold pendent of a cat. The front had a woven cloth representation of a Turkish carpet. The reference to a “magic carpet” was in response to my buying a carpet for my mother and having it shipped back to the UK. Page 366.

Above: For Valentines Day, 2011. “To my valentine of the Lakes”. From Peter to me.

Above: Peter put our initials on this card which he found on a restaurant table on Valentine’s Day.

Above: A Christmas card from 2004

Above: A self portrait of Peter as a duelling cavalier. He sent it with a note as a promise to protect me, always.

Above: A message from Peter to me. It reads: “Tina, my baba, I love you and will always love you – never forget that you are the most important person in my life and always [will] be, no one, or anything will ever take your place in my heart and soul. I love you xxxxxxxxxx”

Above: One of the last little cards Peter sent to me. By this time he wasn’t able to steady his hand for long to write.

Above: A Valentine’s card that I made for Peter. He was concerned that the princess in the tower only had three fingers! Page 447.

Soul mates! I have been labelled everything from “a liar” to “deranged” by certain people online for mentioning my close relationship with Peter. Those same people didn’t know either of us; have never met or even so much as ever spoke to us. Above: THESE were Peter’s words! Page 340.

This reads: “I cannot tell you how shocked I was when I read what that American biographer had said those unbelievable things about me.”

This reads: “The American author [Spoto] signed a letter to say he would adhere to my request about omitting material, but managed to send it to me after the book was published which was of course too late.“

Above: Peter expresses his disgust at what he saw as Donald Spoto’s, duplicity over his 2007 book ‘Otherwise Engaged: The Life of Alan Bates’. He was, of course, referring to sections relating to the “relationship” that was said to have existed between the two actors. Pages 68-75, 95, 261, 374-375.

In the time since Mr Spoto’s book was published, authors, the media, bloggers and online encyclopedias have relied on it, serialised it and quoted from it extensively, resulting in a series of baseless myths being spawned about Peter as a result.

Above: Peter’s original handwritten notes for his autobiography. Page 31.

Above: The poem, ‘Ithaca’ that Peter had written out over the course of weeks, and which he latterly gave to me on New Year’s Eve 2017. Page 477 & 498.

On 18th January, 2018 – just three days after Peter passed away – The Guardian newspaper published one of the most disgusting attacks on the dead that I have ever had the misfortune to witness. Pages 489-490

The publication of Gaughan’s article was met with a record number of complaints from the public. Below are just a small number of comments left by readers on the Guardian website.

• “This is a thoroughly mean-spirited ‘obituary’ by someone who seems to bear a personal grudge against Wyngarde. If indeed he was undone by ‘ego’, he is by no means the only actor to suffer that fate.”
• “This reads less as an obituary and more as a rather nasty hatchet job.”
• “Strikes me as a pre-prepared obit that didn’t get a second pair of eyes before being heading off to the presses. It is grossly one sided.”
• “Disappointing that The Guardian should choose to run such a distasteful hatchet job under the guise of an obituary.”
• “How fitting that today’s Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday – for that Wyngarde obituary gives the impression that Gaughan is only a pen-name for Griswold. Of course, de mortuis nihil nisi bonum – Mr. Gaughan might, like Griswold, be dead for quite some time, as it seems to be rather common to write tosh like this for a newspaper’s stockpile and use it years after it was written. Either if Mr. Gaughan is dead or still alive, it would have served this obituary if the author would have been less obsessed by the “mystery” of Wyngarde and had instead tried to inform himself a little less roughly about his work and career. But then, the spirit of Griswold still walks amongst us and would rather stick his nose into a public toilet then into over 200 successful performances of “The King and I”. It possibly was less the intention to give a fair and interesting life’s review but rather to serve the yellow press and have the last snarl?”
• “Poor form writing this. Though there are many truths here there are some utterly pointless criticisms of a remarkable man who made a remarkable cultural contribution. Once again, a bad show from The Guardian.“
• “Recounting Wyngarde’s petty vanities at this time is at best bad form and at worst squeezes out of the obit what should have been a generous recognition of his talent.”
• “What a tawdry and nasty obituary that concentrates mostly on the downside of Peter’s life. The author was allegedly banned from Peter Wyngarde’s Official Facebook page because he insisted on posting vindictive comments about the great actor on there. Peter Wyngarde was one of our finest actors.”
• “Just not good enough. Apart from the unnecessarily spiteful tone – sneering never becomes the obituarist – this cut-and-paste job is incomplete. Whatever the merits of Wyngarde’s curious LP When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head – and it did gain an audience on reissue in the 90s – it should have been mentioned, as should have been his gentle, amused presence, particularly in later years.”

Mr Gaughan had joined the Official Peter Wyngarde Appreciation Society in April 2014 with the sole purpose, it seemed, of posting the same homophobic slogan on the Society’s Facebook page. In spite of being cautioned no fewer than three times – once by Peter himself – Gaughan continued with his juvenile campaign until, inevitably, he was barred from the Society.

Despite having never met Peter, and without knowing anything of the nature of his relationship with me, Gaughan would declare to the me: “Your obsession with Wyngarde has driven you mad!”

On his departure from the Society, Gaughan was to make an ominous pledge: that come the day of Peter’s passing, he would write the most scathing “obituary” possible, and have it published in either The Guardian or Independent newspapers. Some days later, Gaughan and one of his associates was witnessed discussing the matter on social media, whereupon the latter declared, “Why doesn’t he [Peter] just hurry up and die!”

Mr Gaughan was dismissed by The Guardian in April 2018.

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Above: Taken from a “stinking letter” that Peter sent to one of his acquaintances who had attempted to interfere in our relationship.

Above: Peter’s Last Will and Testament. He explains at the bottom that the poor handwriting is due to his being unable to wear spectacles due to an oxygen mask covering his face. He was also to restate these instructions on an audio digital recording that is in the possession of his agent, Thomas Bowington of Bowington Management. His estranged family would refuse to acknowledge it.

“It was telling that when Peter believed he was dying, the first and only person he thought of was Tina!” Thomas Bowington

Above: A typed version of Peter’s Last Will and Testament, which was passed on to me by the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in October 2018, after it was found in the ward safe. It is, presumed that it was typed up for him by one of the nurses or auxiliaries on the Acute Assessment Ward subsequent to 01.11.17.

Statement by Peter’s agent, Thomas Bowington of Bowington Management that Peter had made me the sole beneficiary of his estate.

Above: A solicitors letter dated 12th July, 2019 from Peter’s estranged family – nephews, Stephen and Ian Goldbert. It was to accuse Thomas Bowington, myself and others of theft from Peter’s home at 1, Earls Terrace*. When we requested that the Goldbert’s supply a list of all the items they were insisting we’d taken, they were unable to do so, which proved that the accusation had been wholly malicious.

*Despite the fact that their uncle had lived at 1, Earls Terrace for almost 60 years, the Goldbert’s were obliged to rely on Thomas Bowington to give them the address since they had no idea what it was!

Soon after we’d repelled this malicious accusation, both Thomas Bowington and I would suddenly find ourselves the recipients of a series of letters and emails from vendors and service providers who appeared to be under the impression that we’d either come into a substantial amount of money, or were in possession of property that had belonged to Peter which we might be willing to sell. These would include a message from a gentleman who was specifically interested in buying luxury timepieces, while another (see below), hired out private planes:

Dear Mr Bowington, I hope you are well, and you are having a great start to the week. I believe you are the manager of The Estate of Peter Wyngarde? I have been advised to contact you in regard to any of your private jet travel. I can provide you with quotes on any destination around the world at a competitive rate, I am very well known in the industry for getting my clients the best deal. If there isn’t a requirement for private jets, we can of course offer our concierge service SHY Lifestyle. They can look after everything from first/business flights, transfers, hotels and much more. Do you have any flights or travel plans coming up in the near future that you need a quote on? I can send them across ASAP for your perusal. Hope you have a great day. Please let me know if you have any questions. Kind Regards, Charlie Hobden Charter Sales Manager SHY Aviation 91–93 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1 0RP United Kingdom T: +44 20 8616 8821 (24 hrs) WM: +44 7854 147 338 SHYAviation.com

“I’ve been in business for many years now,” Thomas revealed, “but I’m yet to hear any genuine salesperson adopt such an indecorous manner when approaching a potential client. I could only conclude that these merchants had been encouraged to contact us in the hope that we might expose ourselves as the thieves we were being portrayed as by the Goldbert’s.”

Needless to say, neither of us took the bait simply because we hadn’t any money to hire a private plane, nor did we have any “chattels” or “potentially valuable memorabilia” to sell. Indeed, we had receipts for every single piece of memorabilia we owned and had offered to send copies of ALL of them to the Goldbert’s solicitor.

“When toxic people feel they cannot control you, they will seek to control how others see you”

In spite of avoiding this latest snare we were under no illusions, given previous experience, that this would be the end of the matter. Our instinct was proven accurate when, in early September 2019, a vicious online smear campaign was launched against Mr Bowington and me. The opening salvo was fired on a Facebook group page entitled, ‘Department Wyngarde’ by a Mr. Joel W**a – a failed Birmingham bar manager who claimed to be a “close friend” of Peter’s. Given the number of libels and level of abuse aimed at us by Mr. W***[1], the vast majority of the Group’s membership was repelled and deserted the ‘Department Wyngarde’ group page in droves. What they were left with was the disenfranchised misfits; the knuckle-draggers and seasoned cyberbullies who are often attracted to a bit of trouble and knew from experience how to prosecute an online hate campaign. This, of course, was exactly what Mr W*** and those pulling his strings were looking for!

[1]: Although Mr. W**a claimed to be a “close friend” of Peter’s, no mention of him could be found of him in ANY of Peter’s diaries, contact or appointment books dating from 1954 to 2018, and no one who had been close to Peter throughout his life had ever heard of him.

Due to the fact that Daniel Box, the sole administrator of the ‘Department Wyngarde’ group, had not only failed to discourage, challenge, prevent or remove libellous and abusive comments and statements that had been posted on his group page, but was to actively encourage and contribute to it in direct contravention of Facebook’s Harassment and Bullying policy, coupled with the 300+ complaints filed by those unfortunate enough to witness these abuses, Facebook had no option but to remove the group from its platform in mid-October 2019. Below are the reason given by Facebook for removing the ‘Department Wyngarde’ group:

Content of this group [Department Wyngarde} goes against our Community Standards, so we have taken it down. Because the admin created or approved posts that did not follow the rules, this was considered more serious.

Thank you for letting us know about something that you did not want to see on Facebook. After carrying out a review we have removed the Department Wyngarde group as it breached our community standards concerning bullying and harassment. We have let the admin of the group know that it has been removed, but not who reported it. If you or someone you know continues to be bullied by this admin or former members of this group, visit our Bullying Prevention Hub to learn about tools that can help you.

Over the course of the next five years, the gang which the Goldbert’s proxy, Joel W**a, had recruited went on to set up at least FIVE more Facebook groups. plus a hate-filled, profanity-strewn website* hosted by Kevin Thomas from Hale, Cornwall, who was so true to his conviction that he chose to hide behind the username, ‘Kenny Grice’ (or variations thereof) that contained rabidly antisemitic, homophobic, misogynistic and anti-disability language which contravened The Malicious Communications Act 1988, Protection From Harassment Act 1997 and the Deformation Act 2013. Below is the response received by numerous Wyngarde fans (and others), that complained about the appalling content of Mr. Thomas’s website:

Hello, Thanks for reaching out to us. We had a look at this URL: http://peterwyngardethetruth.blogspot.com We found that it violated our policy concerning abuse and speech that expresses hatred towards individuals based on their race, sex, disability, gender and sexual orientation, and that is of a harassing and intimidating nature. We have therefore removed it from our services. Thank you for letting us know about this content. Regards, The Google Team For more information about our content removal process, see g.co/legal.

During the same time period, Thomas Bowington and I also received several hundred abusive emails (via this website) from the same group that also breached the aforementioned laws (see example below). These vile message were often to arrive at a rate of 5 a day, and at every conceivable hour of the day and night:

‘Peter Wyngarde’ Was Jewish Utter Fucking Shit commented on LEGAL STATEMENT Dear Mrs cuntface bastard bitch Wyngarde Hopkins or what ever you call yourself these days. I hope that cock sucking faggot queer Cyril Goldbert died in agony in a filthy nhs hospital and you were there to see the cunt draw his final breath. you queer loving fucking cunt bitch! I also hope the cunting queer fag Thomas Bowington got fucking AIDS from the sad, lonely old twat. More information about ‘Peter Wyngarde’ Was Jewish Utter Fucking Shit URL: http://Bollocks%20Hopkins! Email: fuckingbollockshopkins@fuck.com Whois: http://whois.arin.net/rest/ip/185.142.239.49 (IP: 185.142.239.49)

While it will doubtless be difficult for anyone with even a modicum of decency to comprehend, the above email is actually the LEAST offensive of the 150+ sent by this repugnant, foul-mouthed gang that were recruited on the ‘Department Wyngarde Facebook group during September and October 2019, while under the sole stewardship of Dan Box. It is even MORE appalling to think that the instigators of this atrocious witch hunt – out of sheer malice towards Thomas Bowington and Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins; two people who had done nothing but care for someone they loved in the final days of his life – was ultimately to bring this abhorrent abuse down on their own uncle!

When you initiate an online hate campaign, you inevitably open a door through which anything can come. What came through this particular door was a motley crew consisting of the easily lead, the psychotic; the disenfranchised knuckle-dragger and those that were no strangers to prosecuting a crusade of harrassment, intimidation and threats. But then, these were exactly the kind of people the instigators of this action were hoping to attract.

Given the likelihood that Hate Crimes had been committed, ALL of those involved are currently being investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police, Greater Manchester Police, The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, The Metropolitan Police, Merseyside Police and Thames Valley Police. It will come as no surprise to learn that at least TWO of the individuals involved with this horrendous campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation were already known to to the police!

Click below for more information and original documents

Note to the Goldbert family: All of the documents displayed above are the LEGAL property of Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins, and are part of a collection that she has been building for over 30 years. They have NOTHING to do with you, and are not for you to lay claim to. You should therefore call off your mindless attack dogs and bring your senseless hate campaign to an end.

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© Copyright The Hellfire Club: The OFFICIAL PETER WYNGARDE Appreciation Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/813997125389790/

The following photographs were taken in central London in 1973.

Peter arriving at the exclusive Cartier shop on Bond Street

Instructing his driver when to pick him up again

Entering the exclusive shop and gallery

He’s greeted by the manager…

…and is shown some of the latest pieces of artwork

He Inspects a potential purchase

Approving a landscape

Later, Peter takes a Stroll down Oxford Street

Crossing over Charing Cross Road

Lighting a Sobranie before crossing New Oxford Street

After picking up a copy of the Daily Mirror…

…Peter crosses Tottenham Court Road back onto Oxford Street

Chatting to a German journalist on Lambeth Palace Road, opposite the Houses of Parliament

Flashing a grin for the camera

Peter enjoying a final cigarette with the Houses of Parliment in the background

Read about Peter’s other promotional tours by clicking below: