Jack May

Jack May was a mellifluousvoiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures often representing Britains interests in farflung corners of the empire With regards the former he memorably played William E Simms former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harpers titular swashbuckling adventurer in 60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives as well as providing the voice of Igor the longsuffering valet in Cosgrove Halls 1980s animation Count Duckula His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975s The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty 1984 For many May was Nelson Gabriel the most disreputable character in Ambridge in BBC Radio 4s longrunning soap The Archers May took the role of the shady rogue later antique dealer and wine bar owner in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death 1997 This 45 year stint made May at the time the fourthlongest serving soap opera star in the world He died at the age of 75 on 19 September 1997 survived by his wife the actress Petra Davies his daughter Henrietta and son David