Peter Butterworth became a familiar presence in the Carry On film series, appearing in sixteen films — including Carry On Abroad and Carry On Screaming! — typically playing quiet, subtly eccentric characters in support of the series' bigger personalities. He was also known as the Meddling Monk in Doctor Who. Before his acting career took off he served as a Royal Navy pilot during the Second World War and was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III, where he met the screenwriter Talbot Rothwell, who would go on to write many of the Carry On scripts. He worked steadily across film, television and pantomime throughout his career, including with major stars such as Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn.