John Derbyshire links below to an item in The Telegraph about the death of  actor John Inman:

John Inman, the actor who has died aged 71, became a household name for his performance in the television sitcom Are You Being Served? As Mr. Humphries, the wildly camp senior sales assistant in menswear at the fading department store Grace Brothers, his catch-phrase cry “I’m free!” became lodged in the popular lexicon.

For the pilot episode of Are You Being Served? in 1972, Mr Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries was conceived as a seedy individual in a shabby suit, and had only five lines of dialogue. But when David Croft, the co-producer and writer, suggested that the blond, gap-toothed Inman “camp it up”, it marked a turning point for the show and for Inman.

Always ready with a tape-measure, a waspish aside or smutty innuendo, Mr Humphries would mince across the floor and pounce on unsuspecting male customers, taking an inside-leg measurement before they had time to protest that they were looking for a shirt. The simple characterisations and unsophisticated humour made Are You Being Served? a huge success; it ran for many years, spawning a stage show and a feature film as well as a spin-off series.

At its peak the programme, which also starred Wendy Richard, Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister, drew 22 million viewers, but it was mauled by critics and attacked by gay rights groups, who objected to Inman’s stereotypical portrayal and picketed his shows. Inman maintained that the BBC was embarrassed by this reaction, and at the end of every series there would be a tearful goodbye party, as the actors never knew if the show would get the axe. Ratings prevailed, however, and they kept going for 69 episodes and 13 years.

The programme had only a small number of jokes, which featured every week:

“I’m free.” Said by Mr Humphries in a screamingly camp voice.

“Menswear.” Said by Mr Humphries in a deep voice in an attempt to sound manly.

“Inside leg please”/”That will be fine sir, fits just where it touches.”

“Don’t worry, sir, it will ride up with wear.”

“These cold mornings play havoc with my pussy/My pussy got soaking wet.” Said by blowsy old bat Mrs Slocombe, whose voice could go from posh to common in a split second. She was talking about her cat, of course. Americans did not believe this, however, and according to The Sun, suspected a double entendre. Honi soit qui mal y pense.

“Young Mr Grace” This was the younger of the two Grace Brothers. He was about ninety – that was the joke, you see - and a dirty old goat, always pinching his secretary’s hole punch.

That was pretty much it, so I don’t know why it was so funny, but it was. Here's to John Inman, an actor with many camp followers.

So farewell then, Mr Humphries

“I’m free!” That was 

Your catchphrase

You are now