Early Life & Personal Background
Jeremy Gittins Actor: Jeremy Gittins was born as Philip Jeremy Gittins on 30 January 1956 in Manchester, England. He has had a long career in British television and stage. Although not much is public about his childhood and early training, Gittins is married to Sara Hollamby.
He stands about 6′2″ (1.88 m) tall, according to some biographical sources. Gittins’ career has spanned from the early 1980s through the 2000s, with occasional appearances more recently.
Breakthrough Role: Michael the Vicar in Keeping Up Appearances
Gittins is best known for portraying Michael, “the dishy vicar”, in the BBC One sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, which aired between 1990 and 1995. The show starred Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet”), a character obsessed with social status. Michael, as the vicar, often found himself a target of Hyacinth’s schemes and invitations, and provided a light, somewhat flirtatious counterpoint.
This role made Gittins a familiar face on British television; it remains his signature part, and many fans still identify him with the role. In an interview, Gittins stated he was open to revisiting Keeping Up Appearances if the opportunity it arose, expressing fondness for the production and cast.
Other Television & Film Work
Beyond Keeping Up Appearances, Jeremy Gittins has had a wide-ranging career with many guest roles and recurring parts across British television, both in comedy and drama.
Some of his notable credits include:
- Doctor Who (episode “Warrior’s Gate”) where he played Laslo in 1981.
- Blackadder Goes Forth, taking on the role of Private Tipplewick in one of the episodes.
- Appearances in Tenko, Boon, A Touch of Frost, New Tricks, EastEnders (as John Charrington), Doctors, Footballers’ Wives, and Midsomer Murders.
In film (or TV film / smaller screen roles), he also played Mr. Horse in Crush (2001) and had minor roles earlier, showing his versatility in both comedy and more serious parts.
Style, Range & Acting Approach
Gittins has shown a strong range: his performances often balance morality, modesty, and humour. His roles in sitcoms lean toward comedic timing, dry wit, and playing characters who are mild-mannered or caught in absurd social circumstances. Michael the vicar, for example, is a character who is polite, somewhat reserved, yet becomes entangled in Hyacinth’s social climbing
In dramatic roles (like A Touch of Frost) or more serious series (Tenko, Doctors), Gittins shifts tone—offering gravitas, realism, sometimes tension. Thus, his repertoire includes both comedic relief and grounded serious acting.
In interviews, Gittins has commented on his craft. For Keeping Up Appearances, he said he did no formal vicar training, instead relying on imagination and trying to make the role believable and respectful.
Later Career & Hiatuses
After Keeping Up Appearances ended in 1995, Jeremy Gittins continued to take television guest roles, but not always in leading or recurring parts. Over time, his screen appearances began to thin out.
His credits continue up to 2008, then a gap, and later returns in 2020 and 2023—for instance, appearing as himself in retrospectives or specials.
For example, in 2020 he appeared on Pointless (a quiz show) as a contestant. He also appeared in 2023 in Keeping Up Appearances – 30 Years Of Laughs, reprising his association with the show.
These sporadic appearances suggest that Gittins remains associated with his most famous role, even if he is no longer as active as in his earlier decades.
Legacy & Public Perception
Jeremy Gittins’ legacy in British television is strongly tied to Keeping Up Appearances. His depiction of Michael the Vicar is often fondly remembered, especially among fans of the sitcom. His character is charismatic, calm, and in some ways out of place amidst Hyacinth Bucket’s social pretensions—traits that provide comedic contrast.
Publicly, Gittins is perceived as a reliable character actor rather than a marquee star—someone whose consistency, professionalism, and ability to inhabit different roles has earned steady respect. His interviews reflect humility; for example, he joked that he might have “pinched something” from Keeping Up Appearances had he foreseen its enduring popularity.
Despite being best known for one role, he is not pigeonholed—his dramatic parts, guest appearances, and stage work (where known) show that he has maintained diversity in his acting portfolio.
What’s Next & Career Outlook
As of now, Jeremy Gittins does not appear to be pursuing major new film roles (based on interviews and public info). However, his participation in retrospectives and special features suggests that his legacy remains alive in British TV culture.
His interview responses indicate willingness to work more, particularly if roles arise that appeal to him, and openness to reconnecting with Keeping Up Appearances. Whether that means new sitcoms, theatre, or cameo appearances remains uncertain.
For fans, what to watch for would include:
- Revival or anniversary productions of Keeping Up Appearances
- Guest appearances in television dramas or comedies
- Possibly more participation in interviews, documentary specials, or theatre productions
- Work that leverages his recognizable screen persona—vicar-type, calm authority with a comedic undertone
Even if his acting work remains less frequent, Gittins’ impact continues through the enduring popularity of his most famous work.
Conclusion
Jeremy Gittins is a seasoned British actor whose career is defined by competence, consistency, and a standout performance as Michael the Vicar in Keeping Up Appearances. While that sitcom remains his defining role, his broader filmography—spanning drama, comedy, guest parts, and retrospective appearances—shows the range and staying power of a character actor. Audiences continue to appreciate his work, and his contributions to British television remain appreciated decades later.
