My wife took me to Portmerion a couple of years ago. It's a wonderful place and he was a wonderful actor.

A still tongue makes a happy life

The Prisoner blew my 14 Year-old mind when the "new" Channel 4 screened it during it's early days.
I also watched "Scanners" because he was in it. Well, that and a fantastic exploding head.
Thanks, Patrick.

is his enthusiasm for all things McGoohan.

He was addicted to 'Danger Man', and although it was always on after I'd had to go up the apples and pears, his enthusiasm endured and ensured that when 'The Prisoner' started, I was allowed to stay up to watch it.

I was informed of the tenuous link between the two series, and I watched with bated breath. The link was never resolved of course, and the constant surrealistic twists and turns were my first introduction to the idea that there could be pleasure in a narrative who's arc never formed a neat conclusion.

Thank you Dad, and thank you Patrick, for enthralling us both.

Somewhere in the universe, Patrick McGoohan is waking up in a strange bed, looking out of the window at the unusual place he appears to have ended up in and saying to himself, 'Hmm.'

A couple of years ago I got the complete Prisoner DVD box set after years and years of telling myself I would. I spent the next few days immersed in The Village and have never been quite the same since.

And, lest we forget, he was the only redeeming feature of Braveheart.

Oh, and Hammer into Anvil for me.

"imagine trying to sell 'The Prisoner' to a TV executive now...", and then I googled 'The Prisoner remake' just to be sure there wasn't one... and guess what... there is! Starring Ian McKellen!

Hmmm... I have to say I'm surprised. But I think if the original hadn't been made and proven to be a cult hit, it would struggle to be made now.

One of my earliest TV memories is watching The Prisoner when it was first shown in the late 60s. I was rivetted by it, even though I was completely baffled, and remember the adults in my family complaining that they didn't have a clue what it was about. I've watched four times since - two rounds of repeats on Channel 4 and two viewings of the DVD set - and I'm still gripped by it. The fact that it left so much unexplained has helped to preserve its appeal; all the themes of persecution, paranoia, surveillance, and bewilderment over who are the good and bad guys are just as relevant today. Wonderful stuff, and I would reckon the first work of real genius on TV.
Also, me and the wife visited Portmerion ten years ago. I heard it had a Prisoner giftshop, and for the first time in my life I was looking forward to frittering away a lot of hard earned dosh on overpriced tat. When we arrived we found the shop closed for renovation. I've never been so disappointed to leave a place with money in my pocket. I also noticed that among the visitors were a good number of middle aged who seemed to be quickening their step whenever they crossed an open space - I wasn't the only one imagining that I was in an episode.
The wife had to stop me from running onto the beach, throwing a fist in the air, and crying out "I am not a number! I am a free man!"
A lot of us are truly grateful to Mr McGoohan.

Come in No. 6, your time is up! (The Sun)

Travellers blamed for death of Welsh holidaymaker (Daily Mail)

Avengers actor Patrick McGonagall dies, aged 8 (The Guardian)

I went to Portmeirion last year - stayed in the village overnight in fact. I switched on the telly in my room and the first episode of The Prisoner was showing. I nearly freaked out before I realised it was a live video link, somehow beamed from reception. I was told that Patrick would have had a much bigger career if his devotion to his wife had not meant that he refused romantic scenes. Not sure how true that is. An era ends.

...great screen presence. See his performance in the Quare Fellow

Be seeing you Patrick.

Been to Portmeirion too, wonderful place.

Ran around on the beach like a lunatic too - funny thing there was about 6 other 40-somethings all doing the same with long suffering wives in charge of video cameras.

Favourite episode: Chimes of Big Ben

Went to a six of one weekend in the 80's. Great fun had by all. Favourite episode. The girl who was death.

I think this is still my favourite bit (courtesy http://pospapendix.blogspot.com/2009/01/prisoner-episode-one.html):

shopkeeper: Good morning, sir. And what can I do for you then?

Prisoner: I'd like a map of this area.
Shopkeeper: Map? Colour or black and white?
Prisoner: Just a map.
Shopkeeper: Map...

He pauses to remember where he keeps such a thing.

Shopkeeper: Ah. Black and white...

He produces a map from a cupboard.

Shopkeeper: There we are, sir. I think you'll find that shows everything.

The map is labelled "Map of your Village". The Prisoner opens it; it shows the Village bordered by "the mountains": there are no external geographical names.

Prisoner: I... I meant a larger map.
Shopkeeper: Only in colour, sir. Much more expensive.
Prisoner: That's fine.

The shopkeeper fetches him a colour map as inadequate as the last. It folds out as a larger sheet of paper, but still mentions only "the mountains", "the sea", and "the beach", together with the title "Your Village".

Prisoner: Er, that's not what I meant. I meant a... a larger area.
Shopkeeper: No, we only have local maps, sir. There's no demand for any others. You're new here, aren't you?