episode, The Man and the Hour, and her last is in the final episode, Never Too Old. For the film version of Dad's Army (1971), Liz Fraser was cast as Mrs Pike. This decision was made by the director, Norman Cohen, who wanted a less 'homely' actress for the role. The recasting was very controversial and one of the changes imposed by backers Columbia Pictures that added to the unhappiness of the cast. Co-writer of the television series, Jimmy Perry, has said "It was a mistake...not to cast Janet in the role because the viewing public has come to recognise her as Mrs. Pike. But that was a decision made by Columbia". Illness and death Davies died on 22 September 1986 from breast cancer, which had metastasized to her lungs. Her Dad's Army co-star Bill Pertwee said that she "spent her last days in a hospice and died peacefully" adding that she was a "lovely woman". Television Filmography References External links 1927 births 1986 deaths English film actresses English television actresses Actresses from Yorkshire Actors from Wakefield Deaths from breast cancer Deaths from cancer in England 20th-century English actresses