David Griffin (born 19 July 1943) is an English retired actor best known for his roles as Squadron Leader Clive Dempster DFC in Hi-de-Hi! (1984–1988) and Emmet Hawksworth in Keeping Up Appearances (1991–1995).
Career Griffin's first screen role was in 1960 in the film A French Mistress. Roles like Ricketts in The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's in 1961, David Ashton in Outbreak of Murder in 1962 and Mark Dennison in Quick Before They Catch Us in 1966 followed soon after and became both popular and familiar with viewers. Griffin would appear in the smash hit film Battle of Britain in 1969 as Sergeant Pilot Chris and in popular television series including Dixon of Dock Green in 1968 and then again in 1974, Z-Cars in 1970.
Other television appearances include a guest role in an episode of Doctor Who, 'Allo 'Allo!, Dixon of Dock Green, Emmerdale Farm and two episodes of Ripping Yarns. In Keeping Up Appearances he played music director Emmet Hawksworth, neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket, whom he constantly tried to avoid out of fear that she will "sing at him". After finishing Keeping Up Appearances in 1995, he toured worldwide, with Su Pollard, in the stage show The Good Sex Guide. He has also starred in several pantomimes such as Jack and the Beanstalk amongst others. In 2004, Griffin appeared on the Keeping Up Appearances episode of Comedy Connections, discussing his role of Emmet.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1960 A French Mistress Slater ITV Television Playhouse Member of the Special English Sixth 1961 The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's Ricketts 4 episodes 1962 Outbreak of Murder David Ashton 5 episodes 1966 The Newcomers Roddy Vaughan The Troubleshooters Greg Harley Episode: "There's Nothing Like the Great Outdoors" Quick Before They Catch Us Mark Dennison 20 episodes 1968 The Blood Beast Terror William Warrender If.... Willens: Seniors 1968 Dixon of Dock Green David Newman Episode: "The White Mercedes" The Blood Beast Terror William 1969 Battle of Britain Sgt. Pilot Chris Softly, Softly Pullen Episode: "Recovery" The Borderers Simon Lisle Episode: "Truce" 1970 The Walking Stick Benjy Trog Malcolm Travers The Befrienders Jack Television film Z-Cars Pearson Episode: "No Questions Asked: Parts 1&2" 1971 Out of the Unknown Hamilton White Episode: "The Sons and Daughters of Tomorrow" Paul Temple Executive Episode: "Catch Your Death" The Doctors Brett 2 episodes 1972 Doctor Who Lt. Commander Mitchell Episodes: "The Sea Devils" 3, 4, 5 1973 Freewheelers Dickson Episode: "Libra" Ryan Gordon Moss Episode: Miss Ogilvie Presents" The Song of Songs Robert Horvath 4 episodes 1974 All I Want Is You... and You... and You... Freddie Millbank Dixon of Dock Green Ray Glenn Episode: "There's Your Story, There's My Story – And There's the Truth" 1975 Rollerball Man collecting coats Uncredited role 1975–1976 Hogg's Back Dennis Hodge / Stranger 2 episodes 1977 Nicholas Nickleby Frankie Cheeryble 2 episodes 1977–1979 Ripping Yarns Captain Meredith / Attenborough 2 episodes 1978–1979 Emmerdale Farm Steve Ashcroft 3 episodes 1978 BBC2 Play of the Week Schneider Episode: "The Copyist" Send in the Girls Michael Mawson Episode: "Chickabiddy" 1979 Shoestring Brian Kelson Episode: "The Partnership" 1980 Play for Today Carl Morgan Episode: "The Flipside of Dominick Hide" Breakaway Arnold Lang Episode: "The Local Affair: Part 6" 1982 Kelly Monteith Series 4 episode 6 Squadron Flt. Lt. Gerald Corbin Episode: "Memorial Flight" 1983 Privates on Parade Infantry Officer in the Jungle Maybury Sam 2 episodes 1984–1988 Hi-de-Hi! Squadron Leader Clive Dempster DFC 24 episodes 1989 Judith Krantz's Till We Meet Again Capt. Douglas 2 episodes 'Allo 'Allo! Submarine Commander Episode: "The Nouvian Oars" Ticket to Ride Nate Pilot 1991–1995 Keeping Up Appearances Emmet 37 episodes 1994 Keeping Up Appearances TV Licence Promo Emmet Television short 1995 Killing Me Softly Judge 2005 Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder Jack Soames
References
External links
David Griffin at the British Film Institute