When I first moved to London I worked for six months at Simpsons of Piccadilly. It was the store that Are You Being Served was based on, as one of the writers used to work there. The inspiration for Mrs Slocomb and Mr Humphries still worked there, and John Inman became friends with the man who the Mr Humphries character was based on. He was always very nice, and usually had the place in uproar.
Incidentally growing up I hated the character, and found him cringeworthy. Now I like it.
