Richard O'Sullivan, Man About the House and Robin's Nest TV star, dies aged 82
Tributes paid to the effortlessly charming star of a string of ITV comedy favourites.
Grant Peterson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
- David Craig
Published: Friday, 4 September 2026 at 11:54 am
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Richard O'Sullivan, the actor who charmed millions of British television viewers as Robin Tripp in the 1970s ITV sitcoms Man About the House and its spin-off Robin's Nest, has died aged 82.
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O'Sullivan died surrounded by close family at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity's care home in west London, where he had lived for 23 years.
Paying tribute, Giles Cooper of the Royal Variety said: "Richard O'Sullivan was a master of effortless charm and impeccable comic timing, bringing pure warmth, wit, and unforgettable joy to millions of living rooms as a true giant of British television."
Cooper added that O'Sullivan would be "sorely missed by us all at the Royal Variety Charity".
In a statement issued via the charity, the actor's son James O'Sullivan said: "My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years. Always kind-spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad, I will miss him dearly."
He added: "Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was."
James O'Sullivan thanked the staff at Brinsworth House for their "love, kindness and care".
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Born on 7 May 1944, O'Sullivan built a screen career that stretched back to child roles before he became one of ITV's most familiar comic leads.
He first found sitcom fame as Dr Lawrence Bingham in the Doctor franchise, appearing in Doctor at Large in 1971 and Doctor in Charge from 1972 to 1973.
It was as Robin Tripp that he became a household name. Man About the House, which ran for six series on ITV, cast him as a young man sharing a London flat with two single women, played by Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett.
The comedy also starred Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy as landlords George and Mildred Roper. O'Sullivan carried the character into the spin-off Robin's Nest, which aired from 1977 to 1981.
Richard O'Sullivan and Tessa Wyatt pose for the photocall for ITV sitcom Robin's Nest in January 1977 Kent Gavin/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
The actor had a seven-year romantic relationship with his co-star on the latter programme, Tessa Wyatt, during which time aforementioned son James was born to the couple.
O'Sullivan went on to play the title role in the ITV adventure series Dick Turpin from 1979 to 1982, before starring as Simon Harrap in the sitcom Me and My Girl from 1984 to 1988, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor, Joanne Ridley and Joan Sanderson.
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His career wound down in the '90s, with his final screen credits being short-lived sitcom Trouble in Mind and golf comedy Holed, where he shared the screen with Blackadder's Tony Robinson.
Authors
David CraigSenior Drama Writer
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
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