Jeffrey Holland

Jeffrey Holland was born Jeffrey Michael Parkes on July 17, 1946, in Walsall, Staffordshire, England. After attending Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall, he began working to support his mother before training at the Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art to become a professional actor. Holland made his stage debut at the Alexandra Theatre in 1967 in ‘No Fear or Favour’. His early television appearances included a non-speaking role in ‘Crossroads’ and his first speaking role in an episode of ‘Dixon of Dock Green’ in 1974. A turning point in his career came when he took over the role of Private Walker in the Dad’s Army Stage Show, leading to his first collaboration with Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Holland’s career progressed significantly when he became a key figure in David Croft’s repertory company. In 1980, he achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Spike Dixon, the comic at Maplin’s holiday camp in the BBC sitcom ‘Hi-de-Hi!’, a role he maintained for 58 episodes until 1988. He later starred as James Twelvetrees in ‘You Rang, M’Lord?’ from 1988 to 1993, a role particularly popular in Central and Eastern Europe. His collaborations with Croft, Perry, and Lloyd continued with roles in ‘Are You Being Served?’ and ‘Oh, Doctor Beeching!’ from 1995 to 1997, where he played Cecil Parkin.

Beyond sitcoms, Holland has demonstrated his range in various projects. In 2001, he participated in ‘Goon Again’, the 50th-anniversary celebration of ‘The Goon Show’, taking on parts originally played by Peter Sellers. In 2011, he appeared in ‘Coronation Street’ as Clive Drinkwater. His one-man play, ‘… And This Is My Friend Mr Laurel’, debuted at the Camden Fringe festival in 2013 and toured the UK, showcasing his theatrical abilities. In more recent years, he has appeared in the film ‘Run for Your Wife’ (2012), the podcast series ‘Barmy Dale’ (2020–2025), and is set to co-star in the TV pilot ‘Simply Ken’ (2021) alongside his wife, Judy Buxton. His memoir, ‘The First Rule Of Comedy…! Memories And Moments’, co-authored with Robert Ross, was published in February 2025.