<P> The show became a ratings hit, and after a successful 13 - year run, Are You Being Served? came to an end on 1 April 1985 . </P> <P> Of the original cast, only Frank Thornton, Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Wendy Richard and Nicholas Smith appeared in all 69 episodes of the programme's 13 - year run; these five later featured in the sequel sitcom, Grace & Favour (also known as Are You Being Served? Again!). The cast performed in character for a stage sketch on the BBC1 programme Variety on 19 June 1976 . </P> <P> Following the death of the last remaining original cast member, Nicholas Smith, on 6 December 2015, the only surviving permanent cast members are Mike Berry as Mr Spooner, Candy Davis (Miss Belfridge in the final two seasons), Penny Irving, who played Mr Grace's secretary Miss Bakewell between 1976 and 1979, and Vivienne Johnson, who played both Young and Old Mr Grace's nurse from 1977 to 1981 . Doremy Vernon, starring as feisty canteen manageress Diana Yardwick over several seasons, also survives, however only appeared on a recurring basis and was never part of the regular cast . </P> <P> Although the pilot was produced in colour, the videotape was wiped in the 1970s leaving only a 16mm black - and - white film telerecording . In 2009, the pilot episode was restored to colour using the colour recovery technique previously used for the Dad's Army episode "Room at the Bottom". The restored colour version was first shown on BBC2 on 1 January 2010 as part of a special Are You Being Served? night . </P>

Surviving cast members of are you being served