The creator of British TV shows Dad’s Army, Hi–de–Hi and It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Jimmy Perry, has died aged 93.

The BBC has announced his passing in a tribute video.

Working with producer David Croft, he drew on his own life for his characters.

In Dad’s Army the ‘stupid boy’ – Private Pike – was actually based on a young Jimmy Perry, and the catchphrase came from his father.  His brief turn in the Home Guard in World War II was his inspiration for the comic masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhY-Y0I8DkY

The BBC was initially reluctant to take on the idea – initially called The Fighting Tigers – because it made fun of the Home Guard.

It Ain’t Half Hot Mum was also based on his own experiences, of the Royal Artillery Concert Party.

In the 1950s Jimmy Perry did a turn as a Butland’s Redcoat – which in turn led to the Yellowcoats in Hi–de–Hi.

So sad we have lost #JimmyPerry a brilliant comedy writer & true gentleman. He leaves us such a legacy pic.twitter.com/tP4FnkIlqq

— Vicki Michelle MBE 💙 (@vickimichelle) October 23, 2016

Perry also wrote some of his theme tunes.

He won an Ivor Novello Award in 1971 for the Dad’s Army theme Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler and penned Holiday Rock for Hi-de-Hi.

He was awarded an OBE in 1978.