Education
Knowles attended Bemrose Grammar School for Boys, Derby (now Bemrose School), where he stayed on into the 6th form and played the lead role in the school’s production of Shakespeare"s Henry V.
Knowles attended Bemrose Grammar School for Boys, Derby (now Bemrose School), where he stayed on into the 6th form and played the lead role in the school’s production of Shakespeare"s Henry V.
He is best known for his roles in British Broadcasting Corporation sitcoms written by David Croft and Jimmy Perry. Knowles is best known for his role as Captain Jonathan Ashwood in the 1970s sitcom lieutenant Ain"t Half Hot Mum (1974-1981). He also played The Honourable Teddy Meldrum in the British Broadcasting Corporation comedy drama You Rang, M"Lord? (1988-1993), and starred in the sitcom Come Back Mistress
Noah (1977-1978).
Knowles did the voice of the Head of the Air Force in the animated movie The BFG, based on the novel by Roald Dahl for Cosgrove Hall. His television career started in 1969 with the role of Captain Cutts in Dad"s Army, a series he later adapted (with Harold Snoad) for radio.
With Snoad, he wrote lieutenant Sticks Out Half a Mile, a radio sequel to Dad"s Army.
He is also credited as one of the writers for Are You Being Served, appearing in two episodes.