Man About The House and Robin's Nest star

Sitcom star Richard O'Sullivan, best known for playing lovable chef-in-training Robin Tripp in Man About the House and Robin's Nest, has died aged 82.

The actor died surrounded by his close family today at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity's care home in Twickenham, where he had lived for 23 years after suffering a devastating stroke in 2003.

In a statement issued by the charity, his son James said: ' My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years. Always kind-spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad - I will miss him dearly.

'Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.

'I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years. They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart.'

O'Sullivan was born in Chiswick, west London, on May 7, 1944, and began his showbusiness career as a child actor in the early 1950s.

He appeared in films including Make Me An Offer! in 1955 and Carry On Teacher in 1959, quickly becoming a familiar face on British screens.

His career saw him work alongside some of Britain's biggest comedy names. He collaborated with Ronnie Barker on several projects in the late 1960s and starred opposite Ronnie Corbett in ITV sitcom Now Look Here... from 1971 to 1973.

By the early 1970s, O'Sullivan was a television regular, appearing in Doctor in Charge and starring alongside Beryl Reid in Alcock and Gander.

But it was his role as the easy-going Robin Tripp that made him a household name.

In Man About the House, which ran from 1973 to 1976, O'Sullivan played the young cook sharing a flat with two women. The Thames Television sitcom became one of the biggest hits of the decade.

His character proved so popular that Robin was given his own spin-off, Robin's Nest, which ran from 1977 to 1981. The series saw Robin open his own bistro as he tried to juggle his restaurant ambitions with his complicated love life.

O'Sullivan went on to star as the swashbuckling title character in Dick Turpin, appearing in more than 30 episodes, before taking on the role of a widowed father in Me And My Girl from 1984 to 1988.

He is survived by his son James, daughter-in-law Kate, grandchildren Nancy and Freddie, and his brother John.

Published: 4 Sep 2026