Our TV star mother’s top comedy timing, pink hairdos and THAT, er, cat TWIN SONS OF MOLLIE SUGDEN ON THE MRS SLOCOMBE LEGEND
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SHE could give a withering look, had impeccable pink hair – and as the woman behind the most shameless double entendre on TV, she never missed a stroke.
As the star who made Mrs Slocombe and her much- loved pussy the biggest thing in ladies underwear, Mollie Sugden is a hard act to follow.
But tonight the Grace Brothers department store returns in a remake of classic sitcom Are You Being Served? – and Mollie’s sons are understandably cautious.
Twins Robin and Simon, now 52, were eight when the pilot first aired in 1972. It was a surprise hit, screened reluctantly by BBC bosses to fill time when the Munich Olympics were interrupted by the massacre of Israeli athletes.
It went on to win audiences of 22 million, securing a prime time slot and 10 series in a 13-year run.
And 44 years after it first aired, the brothers fear the remake leaves viewers not so well served.
After watching a preview, Robin admits: “It made me feel quite uncomfortable. Some of the innuendo feels awkward – but then again, perhaps it always was.”
Whimsical
Simon adds: “I’m doubtful it can be successfully recreated all these years on. You have to see it in the context of the time it came out.”
Seven years after their mother’s death, aged 86, following a long and painful battle with ill health, they are undoubtedly proud that her legacy lives on.
But as Loose Women’s Sherrie Hewson reprises Mollie’s role, Robin acknowledges the “insurmountable challenge” she faced channelling her comic creation.
He says: “Mum had pretty much copyrighted Mrs Slocombe… that slightly raised eyebrow and sometimes whimsical smile.
“She and John Inman, as Mr Humphries, had an intuitive chemistry which they refined over traction,” he says. “But even if years. No one could really capture she’d had her reservations towards that withering look Mum had – or the end, she’d never have said. that perfect comedy timing.” “For her it wwas was theth the mostt most
The one-off special also stars success she hadad in her Only Fools and Horses actor John career, and a ddefining defining Challis as Captain Peacock, Gavin part of it.” & Stacey star Matthew Horne as Yorkshire-bornrn orw store boss Mr Grace, and former grafter, Mollie, who was Hollyoaks pin-up Jorgie Porter as set on being ann actress Miss Croft, the secretary. by the age of fo four, our, got
There is talk of more episodes, her TV break at t the age but Robin says: “That kind of of 40 in the 19622 sitcoms sitcom situational comedy just felt far Hugh and I, a also more cutting edge in the Seventies.” starring Terryrr ry
Grace & Favour, the sequel that Scott. That was as ran on BBC1 for two series from f o l l o w e d byy 1992, “never quite had the same Carla Lane classic The Liver Birds in 1969. In both she played opposite her actor husband William Moore. The pair also starredstarrre together in Coronat Coronationtio Street. Mollie had a recurring occasionna sional role in the soap froom from 1965 to 1976 as Neel Nellie Harvey, landladdy lady of the Laughing Donnk Donkey pub. Shhe She had spent many yearrs years in repertory thet h e a t r e before finnd finding TV fame. B But Ro b i n , oop operations director oof of a Surrey motor- cycle insurance specialist, says: “She had a phrase, ‘ You’d be arrogant to turn down work’.
“That long apprenticeship made her so much more grateful when the break came.”
He recalls how Mollie was sometimes caught out by how well-known she had become.
He says: “She was in Australia and the band The Police had been doing a concert. They were staying in the same hotel.
“She got in the lift and Sting was standing there. He said hello and really wanted to talk to her and they got chatting, but she had no idea who he was. When she left