Harry Grout
Encyclopedia
'Genial' Harry Grout, or 'Grouty', as he is often referred to, was a character in the popular BBC
sitcom Porridge. Despite appearing in only three episodes (and referred to in many more) and the film, he is one of the best-remembered characters from the series. He was played by Peter Vaughan
.
Slade Prison is officially run by the Governor, but the prisoners know better. Grouty is the real muscle behind what goes on in the prison
. He has his own cell
which is lavishly decorated, filled with valuable prison commodities and he is surrounded by his own 'heavies
'. Grouty's job in the prison is to look after the swimming pool
, which is particularly easy as the prison does not have a swimming pool. Grouty marks this down to a clerical error. Interestingly, Grouty never appears in the same scene as Mr. Mackay, and accordingly viewers are never certain whether Mackay has ever attempted to tackle Grouty's control of the prison.
Grouty is feared by all the prisoners, even Fletcher
winces in terror whenever he is summoned to Grouty's cell. His schemes include running a drugs ring, funded by the doctor's office
and rigging
boxing matches
. If crossed, Grouty has little hesitation in setting one of his various heavies
on those who displease him.
Grouty also arranges things such as prison breaks
, as seen in the Christmas special "No Way Out," in which the major plot involves his trying to arrange a breakout plan, with much help from an unwilling Fletcher. Eventually, Fletcher reveals the tunnel
that was dug to Mr. Mackay but ends up landing himself in the prison infirmary
. After Mackay offers him a bottle of whisky
in exchange for information, Fletcher tells him that they disposed of the soil from the tunnel by burying it in a second one.
In the 2003 mockumentary
Life Beyond The Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
, it is revealed that after being released from prison Grouty continued running his "business empire" (although he insisted it was now straight, and no-one could prove otherwise), and also became a "celebrity criminal", in a similar manner to Frankie Fraser
and The Krays
. He died of a heart attack
, but, just before he died, he told Fletcher where his stash was hidden. Fletcher is seen laying a memorial wreath at his funeral
which simply says "Nerk".
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom Porridge. Despite appearing in only three episodes (and referred to in many more) and the film, he is one of the best-remembered characters from the series. He was played by Peter Vaughan
Peter Vaughan
Peter Vaughan is an English character actor, known for many supporting roles in a variety of British film and television productions. He has worked extensively on the stage, becoming known for roles such as police inspectors, Soviet agents and similar parts...
.
Slade Prison is officially run by the Governor, but the prisoners know better. Grouty is the real muscle behind what goes on in the prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
. He has his own cell
Prison cell
A prison cell or holding cell or lock-up is a small room in a prison, or police station where a prisoner is held.Prison cells are usually about 6 by 8 feet in size with steel or brick walls and one solid or barred door that locks from the outside. Many modern prison cells are pre-cast. Solid doors...
which is lavishly decorated, filled with valuable prison commodities and he is surrounded by his own 'heavies
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
'. Grouty's job in the prison is to look after the swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, which is particularly easy as the prison does not have a swimming pool. Grouty marks this down to a clerical error. Interestingly, Grouty never appears in the same scene as Mr. Mackay, and accordingly viewers are never certain whether Mackay has ever attempted to tackle Grouty's control of the prison.
Grouty is feared by all the prisoners, even Fletcher
Norman Stanley Fletcher
Norman Stanley "Fletch" Fletcher is the main character in the popular BBC sitcom Porridge, and the less-successful spin-off, Going Straight...
winces in terror whenever he is summoned to Grouty's cell. His schemes include running a drugs ring, funded by the doctor's office
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and rigging
Match fixing
In organised sports, match fixing, game fixing, race fixing, or sports fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. Where the sporting competition in question is a race then the incident is referred to as...
boxing matches
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. If crossed, Grouty has little hesitation in setting one of his various heavies
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
on those who displease him.
Grouty also arranges things such as prison breaks
Prison escape
A prison escape or prison break is the act of an inmate leaving prison through unofficial or illegal ways. Normally, when this occurs, an effort is made on the part of authorities to recapture them and return them to their original detainers...
, as seen in the Christmas special "No Way Out," in which the major plot involves his trying to arrange a breakout plan, with much help from an unwilling Fletcher. Eventually, Fletcher reveals the tunnel
Secret passage
Secret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel. Such passageways are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow occupants to enter or exit buildings without being seen...
that was dug to Mr. Mackay but ends up landing himself in the prison infirmary
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
. After Mackay offers him a bottle of whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
in exchange for information, Fletcher tells him that they disposed of the soil from the tunnel by burying it in a second one.
In the 2003 mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
Life Beyond The Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher is a 2003 BBC Television comedy docudrama telling the life of Norman Stanley Fletcher from Porridge and Going Straight.-Synopsis:...
, it is revealed that after being released from prison Grouty continued running his "business empire" (although he insisted it was now straight, and no-one could prove otherwise), and also became a "celebrity criminal", in a similar manner to Frankie Fraser
Frankie Fraser
Francis Davidson Fraser is a former British criminal and gang member who spent 42 years in prison for numerous violent offences.-Early life:...
and The Krays
Kray twins
Reginald "Reggie" Kray and his twin brother Ronald "Ronnie" Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 1960s...
. He died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, but, just before he died, he told Fletcher where his stash was hidden. Fletcher is seen laying a memorial wreath at his funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
which simply says "Nerk".