Love and Marriage

The final episode of series two, this is the one where Hugo Horton (the hapless son of stuffy old David Horton) finally ties the knot with the almost surreally naïve Alice Tinker ("Ohh, when he kisses me I get all goose-pimply like a great big pimply goose").

Things almost go awry when Geraldine mistakenly thinks Hugo and Alice are related, and the wedding eventually goes off with a bang (even if the rings are lost and the happy couple are forced to use Hula Hoops instead).

Why is it our favourite?

Well, for one thing this episode really put Dibley on the global comedy map because it won an International Emmy Award. And we can see why, as it’s a perfect combination of the witty and the poignant – and also provides a watershed moment for the series.

After all, here we have two of the major characters getting hitched – one a friend of Geraldine’s, the other the son of David Horton, once Geraldine’s greatest foe in the village. It’s a time for buried hatchets and soppy looks (even Geraldine is bitten with the love bug).

There are wonderful touches throughout, including a memorable argument over the naming of a new road (David Horton wants it called David Horton Road, but the villagers suggest it should be named after someone who isn't living. Much to Gerry’s annoyance, this turns out to be David Horton’s father’s cousin, David Horton).

And then of course there’s the marriage itself, complete with Teletubby bridesmaids. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house...

Other strong contenders...

In episode three of the first series, Community Spirit, none other than Kylie Minogue turns up for the village fair. (And let’s not forget the Comic Relief special where Johnny Depp graced Dibley with his perfect cheekbones – but does this count as a bit from the series proper?)

There also has to be a special mention of Animals, the episode in which Gerry decides to put on church services for all the pets in the village – because it features Alice’s most celebrated lines from the series:

"You know that stuff they’re selling at the local shop? I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter? Well I can’t believe it’s not butter. Then yesterday I went to Crookenden and I bought this other stuff, like a sort of home-brand, and I can’t believe it’s not I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. I can’t believe that both I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter and the stuff that I can’t believe is not I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter are both, in fact, not butter." Genius!

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