BBC has lost its sense of humour, says Dad’s Army vicar
DAD’s Army vicar Frank Williams has blasted the BBC for axing a comedy show in which he played a Nazi-hating pensioner – before it even aired.
The actor was offered a role in a sitcom called George & Bernard Shaw along with veteran stars including Robert Lindsay and Stephanie Cole.
Williams – now 88 and famous for playing Rev Timothy Farthing in the classic wartime series alongside Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier – said he jumped at the chance.
The cast filmed a pilot episode and hoped to get a series commissioned but BBC bosses cancelled the broadcast.
Williams said: “Back in the days of Dad’s Army, the BBC was prepared to give shows a chance and take risks. Now they don’t.
“I thought this new show which we shot a few years ago was funny. My character was a grumpy pensioner who lived in fear of visits from the district nurse and kept going on about killing Nazis during the war.
“For some reason the BBC didn’t like it and it never got commissioned. But remember, Dad’s Army didn’t get good ratings or good reviews when it first came out yet it still got a second series. Now the BBC won’t do this.
“If it isn’t an instant success now they don’t give it a chance. Plus I don’t think the powers-that-be seem to be able to find the writing talent out there. There isn’t much to laugh about on TV these days.”
A BBC spokesman said: “It is standard practice within the TV industry to pilot new comedies but unfortunately not all are commissioned to series.
“The BBC broadcasts more comedy than any other UK broadcaster, continues to take risks and consistently delivers the highest audiences, whilst also winning the most awards across the board for pioneering shows such as Inside No 9, Fleabag, Not Going Out, This Country, Famalam, Mum, Peter Kay’s Car Share, Mrs Brown’s Boys and The Detectorists.”