James David Grout was an English actor of radio and television. Grout was born in London, the son of Beatrice Anne and William Grout. He attended RADA where he trained to be an actor. His radio appearances include Barliman Butterbur in the 1981 Radio 4 adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, a major role in all ten series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy series King Street Junior, the role of Professor Richard Whittingham in Andy Hamilton's Hell-based comedy Old Harry's Game, Rev. Timothy Corswell in The Secret Life of Rosewood Avenue and Any Other Business. Some of his television credits include Jonas Bradlaw in Murder Most English, Superintendent Rafferty in Turtle's Progress, Div. Supt. Albert Hallam in Juliet Bravo, The Doctor in Shelley, Mr McAllister in The Beiderbecke Affair, Prof. George Bunn in A Very Peculiar Practice, Granville Bennett in All Creatures Great and Small, Chief Superintendent Strange in Inspector Morse and Mr. Justice Ollie Oliphant in Rumpole of the Bailey as well as the "chief whip" in Yes Minister. He was nominated for a 1965 Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actor for Half a Sixpence. 

October 22nd, 1927 in London  /  Died:   Jun 24th, 2012