Arthur was born in Hammersmith, London, in May 1914, the only child of a baker. At school he showed a flair for art so his parents, who were not particularly well off, scraped around enough money to send him to Chiswick Polytechnic Art School to train as an architect. However, when Arthur sat down with them and worked out just how much the course, the equipment he would have to purchase, and his general living expenses would cost him, it worked out to around £2,0000 -quite a hefty sum of money in the 1930's. It was simply beyond their means. So on leaving school Arthur started work with the local bus company as a conductor. Perhaps Arthur had designs to make enough money to eventually go to the Polytechnic, it's not clear, but at the time he was working on the buses he also started going around the local pubs and clubs doing a stand-up comedy routine, in order to increase his income. Then an offer came along of another job; twelve and sixpence a week to work in a furniture store as a clerk. Arthur left the bus company and took up his new position. However, it didn't last. "After that I was a mate." Said Arthur. "I was everybody's mate. Plumber's mate, painter's mate, carpenter's mate and so on."

That's how it was for Arthur when, in September 1939, war was declared. He went to see George Black who was booking acts for the army show 'Stars in Battledress', but with Arthur not being an established performer yet nor a name that anyone would recognise, Black turned him down. However, George Black did agree to keep him in the unit as a props assistant and bit player, due to the fact that Arthur had already been turned down for active service on medical grounds. Ken Morris who would later supply musical spots on Arthur's TV series remembered those Army days:

"My first meeting with Arthur was soon after D-Day, when he was a member of a company putting on a show for the troops on an improvised stage in the middle of a muddy French field. I was in the show that was to take over from his, and we were late. You should have heard his language!"

By this time, Arthur had got a chance to team up with the established comedian and major crowd puller Charlie Chester, and when the war ended he felt confident enough to try for a full time solo career in show business. Unfortunately, nobody wanted him.

Arthur had to make do with being a member of Charlie Chester's gang in a series of radio shows, until finally George Black came to the rescue once again and offered him a run at one of Black's theatres in Blackpool. After the first show Arthur ran round to Black's office and asked his ex C.O. what he thought of his act now. "I still think it's terrible!" Replied Black.

Arthur worked hard at trying to improve his act, and indeed, he must have been successful because it was here, in 1956, that Associated Television approached Arthur to appear in a new series entitled 'Strike a New Note'. ATV introduced Arthur to a new, up and coming scriptwriter by the name of Johnny Speight. Arthur: "The producer of 'Strike a New Note' gave me the script and asked me if I thought I could do it. I was one of four newcomers they wanted to try. I took the script home and read it. When I finished I said to my wife, Queenie, "This is going to be my big break." I realised immediately that Johnny Speight's style of writing suited me to a tee. It was as if Speight had written the programme especially for me. Well, to cut a long story short, I did the show and it must have proved a success because they asked me to do a series. In March 1959, after some time in the 'Strike a New Note' and 'Get Happy' shows, I was given my own series with Johnny Speight as scriptwriter. He's written for me ever since."

Together, the two of them built up a collection of characters, including Oscar Pennyfeather, a mischievous character that never actually spoke. Instead, actor Nicholas Parsons did a voice over as Oscar's easily overcome conscience. However, Arthur's most easily recognisable and best loved comic creation (for he specialised in the 'social nuisance' or manipulative style of character), was the bemedalled tramp who took great pride in telling all who would listen how he had fought for his country whilst being 'up to me neck in muck and bullets.' Arthur became one of British TV's first star comedians and was a huge success. His series dominated the ratings for years and led to an appearance on the 'Royal Variety Performance' in 1961 and being voted Independent Television Personality of the Year in 1962. Alongside Arthur on his TV series were Dermott Kelly, Nicholas Parsons, Tony Fane, Freddie Frinton, Jack Parnell and Patricia Hayes.

Haynes took fame very much in his stride. "Nearly all my public are working class people and my humour is of a type they can appreciate and understand." Haynes noted in 1962. "If I attempted to assume a new personality or sophistication, it would be detected immediately. Anyway, I couldn't do it. It wouldn't suit me." Arthur Haynes was an unassuming man who led a modest life-style. One of the few luxuries that he allowed himself was a Mercedes Benz with the registration number OP1 (in honour of the character that made him famous -Oscar Pennyfeather).

In 1965, with Arthur's show still high in the ratings, he suddenly died from a massive heart attack. He was 51. Today, more than forty years after his untimely death, Arthur's long overlooked contribution to British television comedy history deserves its rightful place under the spotlight following too many years languishing within the shadow of neglect.

Arthur Haynes was an original and a consummate professional and fully deserves his place among the TV greats.