Jay Neill was an English variety performer and television actor who often appeared in comedic roles. Born in London, Neill started work as a stage hand at the Chiswick Empire theatre before auditioning for a role within the Dior Dancers adagio act. The Dior Dancers went on to achieve considerable success on the international variety circuit in the 1950s appearing in Las Vegas, as well the Royal Command Performance. After leaving the Dior Dancers, Neill moved on to a successful career as a television actor, appearing in television programmes such as Doctor Who, The Onedin Line, Fawlty Towers, Sykes, Terry and June and Upstairs, Downstairs. He died in Twickenham, England, in 2006 at the age of 74.