Last of the Summer Wine

Understand your apprehension, BigUnc, why is it not possible for a representative of UKTV to reply to some of the points that are made on these messageboards? At least we would then know what to expect from the future. Anyone got any ideas, apart from mustering the Queen's Own Pensioners to march on Broadcasting House?

At last we have found out what happened to Billy Hardcastle. He has moved to Coronation St., or, rather, Keith Clifford has. I suppose the schedule would have been too much to cope with, let alone the contractual difficulties. Still a pity, he'll be missed.

I have a friend who lives in Holmfirth she tells me that Keith Clifford has not worked on Last of the summer wine since 2005 following an accident, hope he's ok as he was one of my favourite characters. I have seen him in Coronation Street but don't think he is a permanent fixture somehow. I met Mr Clifford in 2004 in the restaraunt at the Huddersfield hotel, what a lovely man, down to earth and a terrific sense of humour. I for one am missing him in this current series maybe he will be back in the future, I do hope so.

Thanks for that input gnomesandaway. Just wish some reference had been made to Billy Hardcastle in current series. Definitely thought this character very much had Roy Clark's special input.
Note that UKTV Drama starts Series #17 again and UKTV Gold starts Series #14, both on first Monday in September. Who knows, maybe we'll progress to Series #20 before long. Until recently I had no idea that BBC had an interest in UKTV.
Don't know where information is coming from but Wikipedia is currently telling us that following current series we have the following to look forward to:
2007 Christmas Special
2008 New Year Special
Series 29 (2008)

I agree BigUnc, Billy Hardcastle was such fun and Ialso think that he had some special input from Roy Clarke. Billy was an absolute barmpot and when he and Alvin got together they were like a comedy double act, there was such potential for Billy and Alvin to develop the characters together. I do hope that Mr Clifford will consider coming back. When the current series of Summer Wine ends does any one know if they are planning to repeat the 2005/2006 series which was I think Billys last.

Just checked my DVD recordings. Last appearance by Keith Clifford as Billy Hardcastle was in "Plenty of Room in the Back", broadcast 30 April 2006, ninth and last episode of Series 27 (05 March 2006 to 30 April 2006). BBC is unlikely to repeat that series, certainly as a series, per se, in the near future. BBC #1 repeats tend to come out on an ad hoc basis. Last one I recall was the 1995 New Year Special (first broadcast 1st January 1995), "The Man Who Nearly Knew Pavarotti" with Norman Wisdom.as Billy Ingleton.

Oh man its true, the Beeb are such rotters, I mean they could at least release Summer Wine on to dvd a bit quicker than they have been doing? They've got series 1 to 6 out now but what about series 7 to 28? they should get their bums in gear and release these gems, if they did they'd make enough money to make tonz more episodes! There are thousands of us Summer Wine fans, we'd buy them wouldn't we folks!

Luv Ye Haggis

I love it! my favourite is the loxley lozenge. I also went to yorkshire and ate at Ivys cafe! !

Totally agree with Flying Haggis, the thing that annoys me is some of the crap that they do put onto DVD. Surely LOSW should stand higher in the ratings than some of that rubbish.

I am new to UKtv Gold but a long term fan of LOTSW. I would realy enjoy seeing some of the really early episodes. Can anyone tell me if my memory serves me right, did they start in black and white?

Ursus, welcome to the message board. If you go back through the earlier messages you will see that the first six series of LOTSW are available on DVD. They can be obtained either through the BBC shop or from your local video store. The program has always been produced in colour.

Welcome aboard, Ursus. Watch out for weekend 22 and 23 September when UKTV Drama will be broadcasting first three episodes of Series#1 (at 17.40 and 18.20 on the Saturday and 12.20 (a repeat) and 18.20 on the Sunday). You can get full details on Radio Times website. I expect they will continue with the other three episodes on the following days but there is no sign of the Comedy Playhouse Pilot. Don't do me much good. Apart from some Christmas Specials I have recordings of all first nineteen series so I am desperate for a move onto Series #20.

Big Unc

Following up on last, during that week from 22nd September on, UKTV Drama will show all first series and start second series. Possibly not strictly speaking 'early episodes', during same week UKTV Gold will be starting Series#11 which is, of course, a Seymour series.

BigUnc

Can anyone tell me please whether the series 17 DVD has any Christmas Specials (and if so, which ones)?

It was the inscrutable Flyinghaggis who back early July propagated this theory that Series#17 had been distributed on DVD. I have searched all possible outlets and can find no source for this in UK. To my knowledge only Series#1 to #6 have so far been retailed on DVD in UK. It is possible Series#17 is available on DVD in US but that would be wrong format for us.

Thanks yet again, BigUnc. It's always good to have prejudices confirmed. However, quite a few DVD players now replay NTSC as well as PAL, so it might be poss to replay here - assuming area bans can be overcome. If it appears on Amazon for hire, I'll give it a go and report back.

Series#17 is avalible here in the US and has a Leg Up For Christmas on it

Hi all

Anybody know what happend to Danny O'Dea. I used to really enjoy his cameos as Eli.

Cleggscap

Young Cleggscap, regret to say Danny O Dea died in 2002. His character seems to have been quietly forgotten.

Young Cleggscap, regret to say Danny O Dea died in 2002. His character seems to have been quietly forgotten.

Thanks Grumpy. What a shame Do you know when or what episode/series he first appeared in?

Cheers

Cleggscap

Wikipedia says 'Jaws (01/03/1986)', Series #9, Episode #9. It is not totally clear which was last episode though. I quote:
'Eli has not appeared since the death of O'Dea, though the character has not been explicitly killed off. In the final 2002 episode, Eli was not present. His place of sorts was taken by two drunks, but this turned out to be their only appearance in the series.'

That could imply his last episode was 'Sadly, Madly, Bradley' (03/03/2002), Series #23, Eppisode #9 and that he was not in 'It All Began With an Old Volvo Headlamp' (03/10/2002), Episode #10.

For Ursus, note that UKTV Drama starts Series #1 today and will be continuing into Series #3 at least.

I note that after present series completes this Sunday, on following Sunday (30th), BBC#1 is currently planning on screening 'The Swan Man Of Ilkley' (13 Mar 05), first episode of Series #26. Whole of that series is currently being run on BBC Prime. Anyone know how to get BBC Prime in UK. Does not seem to be on Sky.

BigUnc

Now there's a neat juxtaposition. Friday 5th October UKTV Drama is showing 'The Man from Oswestry', Foggy Dewhurst's first appearance in Series #3 and right after UKTV Gold is showing 'The Return of the Warrior', his reappearance in Series #12.

Back to Danny O'Dea and Eli Duckett, a bit of research on IMDb website indicates his final episode might have been Series 23, Episode #1, 'A Brief Excursion in the Fast Lane' (Original Air Date: 6 January 2002). I have recordings of some of the later episodes in that series and he does not appear.
BigUnc

Still with Danny o'Dea/Eli(jah) Duckett. The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 17th April 03, records his death at the age of 91, so presumably it had happened within the previous few days. It continues that he had been out of the show for two years after retiring (at 89!) to live in Brighouse. From somewhere else a found that before Summer Wine he was noted for work in pantos.

Given, therefore that he lived on after his last appearance, and as an old pro it is unlikely that he would have quitted (unless seriously ill) mid series, my guess would be that he was in series 22 (2001) but not series 23. I can confirm that he was in the last of 22 - "the coming of the beast" where he confuses a JCB with a giraffe, and I'm pretty certain that he wasn't in the following Special.

One of the two drunks that BigUnc notes was of course Eli Woods.

On the subject of names (for the benefit of younger readers), there was a good opportunity yesterday to compare the youthful Bert Kwok as Peter Sellers' fall guy Cato in the Pink Panther films with his more sedate Entwistle.

Finally, nominative determinism: can anyone offer examples (from LOTSW) other than Stuart FELL the stunt arranger?