October 1988, Hawtrey collapsed in the doorway of the Royal Hotel in Deal, shattering his femur, and was rushed by ambulance to the Buckland Hospital in Dover. He was discovered to be suffering from peripheral vascular disease, a condition of the arteries brought on by a lifetime of heavy smoking. Hawtrey was told that to save his life, his legs would have to be amputated. He refused the operation, allegedly saying that he preferred 'to die with his boots on', and died three days later, aged 73, in a nursing home in Walmer, near Deal. It was claimed that on his deathbed he threw a vase at his nurse who asked for an autograph. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in Mortlake Crematorium, close to Chiswick in London. Just nine mourners attended; no friends or family were there. Legacy Hawtrey was portrayed by Hugh Walters in the television film Cor, Blimey! (2000). This was adapted by Terry Johnson from his stage play Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick (1998); the original play did not feature Hawtrey as a character. In the BBC Four television play Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006), Hawtrey was played by David Charles. He is also the subject of one-man biographical stage play, Oh, Hello!, premiered in 2001 at The Torch Theatre and was revived in 2014/2015 for the actor's centenary, with Jamie Rees in the role. The play was written by Dave Ainsworth He has been the subject of two biographies: Charles Hawtrey 1914–1988: The Man Who Was Private Widdle (2002) by Roger Lewis and Whatshisname: The Life and Death of Charles Hawtrey (2010) by the broadcaster Wes Butters. BBC Radio 4 broadcast Butters's documentary, Charles Hawtrey: That Funny Fella with the Glasses, in April 2010. Reference was made to Hawtrey by John Lennon (seemingly nonsensically) just before the song "Two of Us" on the Beatles' Let It Be album. John says: "I Dig a Pygmy, by Charles Hawtrey and The Deaf-Aids. Phase one, in which Doris gets her oats.” Filmography Tell Your Children (1922) as minor role (uncredited) This Freedom (1923) (uncredited) Marry Me (1932) as Billy Hart The Melody-Maker (1933) as Torn Mayfair Girl (1933) Smithy (1933) High Finance (1933) As Good As New (1934) Trouble in Store (1934) Hyde Park (1934) as Secondary Supporting Role (uncredited) Little Stranger (1934) Murder at Monte Carlo (1935) Boys Will Be Boys (1935) Kiddies on Parade (1935)