Vintage comedy as class and cultures clash, starring Barbara Windsor and Peter Sallis

Laugh-out-loud at this vintage radio comedy gem from the BBC archive starring legendary performers Barbara Windsor and Peter Sallis.

Londoner Bill, gave up his beloved Stepney home in order to move to Cheshire. He’s renting the spare room in his son Trevor’s new marital home to help with the mortgage. Local dentist Trevor, is still trying to figure out ‘the nature of wives’ as he embarks upon his new life as a married man with his dad in tow. His wife, Katherine is dismayed at her father-in-law’s uncouth manners which threaten to lower the tone of her pretentious aspirations.

Things go from bad to worse when Bill introduces them to his new girlfriend, Betty. His soon to be ‘live in lover’. Whilst the benefits are clear to Trevor (more rent) and Bill (none of the slap and all of the tickle) Katherine is fuming. What will the neighbours think!? Next door, fierce Muriel has her beady-eye on the unconventional set up. Hilarity ensures when Harold, Muriel’s hen pecked husband and Trevor’s ally, is found in the garden shed with Betty…

This is a farcical comedy, very much of its time and packed with witty one-liners and endless innuendo. Filled with high-jinks and bedroom antics this is a must for any listener looking to enjoy an old fashioned, laugh-out-loud comedy. All six episodes of this charming archive gem are available to download in this edition for the first time. A listening treat.

Barbara Windsor is perhaps best known for her funny girl roles in the popular Carry On films. She reached a whole new generation of fans as the feisty landlady Peggy Mitchell in BBC1’s EastEnders. Peter Sallis played the character of Cleggy in Last of The Summer Wine for nearly 50 years. He was also the original, much-loved voice, of Wallace in the smash hit animation movies ‘Wallace and Gromit’.

Cast and credits

Written by Arline Whittaker

Produced by Mike Craig

Betty - Barbara Windsor
Bill - Glynn Edwards
Harold - Peter Sallis
Muriel - Rosalind Knight
Trevor - Simon Molloy
Katherine - Diana Mather

Vince/The Mechanic - Chris Ellison

Mrs Brightwell - Rosalie Williams

Sergeant Grimshaw - Peter Wheeler

First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, 21 December 1986 - 23 January 1987

©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd