Geoffrey Dyson Palmer , ( born 4 June 1927 ) is an English actor known for his roles in British television sitcoms playing Jimmy Anderson in `` The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin '' , Ben Parkinson in `` Butterflies '' and Lionel Hardcastle in `` As Time Goes By '' .
He is known for his roles in British television sitcoms . Palmer played Jimmy Anderson in `` The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin '' , Ben Parkinson in `` Butterflies '' and Lionel Hardcastle in `` As Time Goes By '' .