Born in South Kensington, London, and educated at Stonyhurst College, McGee hoped to become a doctor, but the death of his father when he was 17 put financial strains on the family that ended his plans.

[2] Having enjoyed acting as a boy, McGee decided to follow his mother's side of the family, which could trace its involvement in theatre back to Kitty Clive,[3] and trained as an actor at the Italia Conti School.

[4] He went on to play supporting roles in numerous films and television series, including The Italian Job (1969), The Saint and The Avengers.

[5][6] He's also remembered by many as the 'mummy' of Honey Monster, a large, yellow, furry creature in advertisements for the breakfast cereal Sugar Puffs.

[10] He had a long and successful stage career, starting at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park in 1950, subsequently receiving plaudits for deadpan delivery in such classic comedies as The Ghost Train, Plunder, The Man Most Likely To and Move Over, Mrs Markham.