How Britain has become a better place

This morning's Times obituary of John Inman finished with this:

For the past 30 years, Inman lived in a mews house near the canal in Little Venice, West London, despite a fire in 2004. After a lifetime of living in hotel bedrooms, he enjoyed leading a life of quiet, domestic routine.

Inman was a private man who did not like talking about his sexuality, but in 2005 he entered into a civil partnership with his partner of 35 years, Ron Lynch.

But just eight years ago, Inman still felt it necessary to say this.

(UPDATE: For more, read Matthew Parris's excellent piece published this saturday)

Comments

[Ross]

That is true although ironically though his most successful role in 'Are You Being Served' wouldn't have worked without homosexuality being slightly taboo. It was because Mr Humphries couldn't be openly acknowledged as gay that the 'in your face' campness was funny.