John Inman celebrity print 1980

Summary

This concrete handprint was formerly located as a part of the iconic McEwans celebrity pavement. Between 1972 and 1994, scores of celebrities had their handprints and footprints immortalised in cement at the entrance to the McEwans hardware store on Bourke Street. The City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection acquired a number of these impressed concrete slabs from the original celebrity pavement in 2005.

"British actor John Inman (1935-2007) was best known for his role as Mr Humphries in the long-running British TV comedy series, ‘Are You Being Served?’ (1972-85). Menswear sales assistant Mr Humphries – with his catchcry, ‘I’m free!’ – was an icon of camp. Inman was in Melbourne in May 1980 to appear in ‘Pyjama Tops’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre. During 1980-81 he would star in an Australian series of ‘Are You Being Served?" - Robyn Annear, 2023