Burt Kwouk has passed away

Inspector Clouseau may finally get the jump on Cato as they are sadly together once more. The sad news today is that Burt Kwouk has passed away at the age of 85.

A statement issued by his agent said: “Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date.”

Kwouk was born in Warrington, Lancashire, but was brought up in Shanghai until he was 17 years old, when his Chinese parents returned to England.

As well as the Pink Panther movies he also starred in three James Bond films. IN Goldfinger (1964) he played Mr. Ling, Casino Royale (1967) he played a general and in You Only Live Twice (1967) Kwouk played the part of a Japanese operative of Blofeld credited as Spectre 3.

Kwouk also appeared as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the World War II television drama Tenko (1981–84). He was a familiar face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the Harry Hill Show as well as several of Hill’s live tours. From 2001 to 2004 he provided voice-overs on the spoof Japanese betting show Banzai. From 2002 to the series’ end in 2010, he had a regular role in the long-running series Last of the Summer Wine.

A genuinely nice chap who always seemed to be up for a laugh.

He will be missed.