Last of the Summer Wine

First of the Summer Wine
Originally written as a BBC Comedy Playhouse pilot way back in 1973, Last of the Summer Wine has gone on to become the longest running sitcom in the world - even now, a new series has just been filmed! Originally starring Brian Wilde as determined ex-Army man Foggy, Peter Sallis as the wary and unobtrusive Cleggie and the late Bill Owen as the legendarily mucky perennial adolescent Compo, the trio became a classic comedy combination. Refusing to grow old gracefully, the threesome captured the nation's hearts with their disastrous plans and wry discussions on the nature of the universe.

Village Life Imitates Art
The other star attraction, of course, has become the village in which the stories unfold. Holmfirth, near Huddersfield, is now a major tourist attraction with thousands flocking to West Yorkshire to look around its beautiful old streets. In fact, certain parts of the village have taken on their TV roles. Ivy's Café, for example, was once a paint shop dressed as a film set but has now become a real-life café!

Village People
We have the broadcaster, the late Barry Took, to thank for the location of the show. It was originally planned to have been filmed around the industrial streets of Doncaster or Rotherham. However, before locations for the programme were finalised, Barry was filming a show about working men's clubs which took him to one near Holmfirth (where Sunday lunchtime strip shows happened to be taking place!). He mentioned the beautiful village to producer and writer Roy Clarke who eventually visited and fell in love with the place.

Cast of the Summer Wine
The show has always been famed for having a stellar cast of some of the best British comedy acting talent around. The likes of Kathy Staff (as the inimitable Nora Batty and her wrinkled stockings), Thora Hird, Norman Wisdom, Jean Alexander and even Bert Kwouk (Cato from the Pink Panther films) have all played much-loved characters. What's more, some impressive guest and cameo appearances include Liz Fraser, Brian Glover, Gordon Kaye and John Cleese - who used the pseudonym Kim Bread! The latest cameos to look out for are Roy Barraclough and Cannon and Ball! Rock on, Tommy.

Compo's Last Stand
Compo has become such a legendary character that official planning permission has been granted by the local Kirklees Council for a bronze, life-size statue of Compo to be erected in the village. Fans and friends of the show had been lobbying for permission to be granted for years with a fundraising appeal set up. This statue will be sited in Kings Head Gardens in Holmfirth, opposite the "Wrinkled Stocking Tea Room".

Last of the Summer Quotes
LOTSW writer Roy Clarke is rightly seen as one of the finest comedy writers of all-time. Here's some comedy gems from the programme that show just why LOTSW is still going strong.

Nora Batty: "I wonder sometimes if you would ever miss me if I left."
Wally Batty: "We could give it a try."

Cleggy: "We were married all them years and never had children. Do you think flannelette causes impotence?"

The trio are out walking looking for wild flowers.
Compo: "Are you going to give me a hand?"
Foggy: "What, picking flowers? That's no job for a trained killer."
Compo: "Alright, pick stinging nettles instead."

More information
BBC information page