Hold very tight please

Regarding the recent letters from Edwin Amey and myself concerning the censorship of television comedy

Dad's Army…

I believe another sit-com from the same era, OnTheBuses , will likely fall victim to the same selfappointed, social justice warrior gavel.

The main characters are bus driver Stan Butler and conductor Jack Harper. Their arch-nemesis is Inspector Mr Blake. Familiar characters include Stan's mum, sister Olive and brother-in-law Arthur.

Seventy episodes were aired from 1969 to 1973. Three spin-off films were also made.

OnTheBuses was one of the earliest British sitcoms to centre on working-class people's lives.

Much of the humour comes from Stan’s and Jack's attempts at courtship – Jack sneers and leers his way to securing a date while the middle-aged Stan, after inviting a ladyfriend back to his mum's house, embarks upon a cringeworthy routine of necktie tugging and cushion plumping, all the while gushing a spiel of gibbered nonsense while sheathed in a coat of sweat.

I always had sympathy for Mr Blake for although usually being on the receiving end of Stan’s and Jack's often cruel jokes, his main concern is always the correct and efficient running of the bus company.

The characters Stan and Jack are one-dimensional with few redeeming qualities – they avoid work wherever possible, forever slipping off for a crafty ciggie. Jack is a trades union official of some type.

Though never a favourite show of mine, I recall mum and dad liking it.

Anthony Fenlon Bursledon Road Waterlooville