Round The Horne 1965 – 1968
Round The Horne was the classic Radio Comedy that ran for four series of sixty six, thirty minute episodes on the BBC Light Program (now Radio 2) from 1965 – 1968.
Recorded at the Paris Theatre in London and created by Barry Took and Marty Fieldman, other writers contributed to later series after Fieldman returned to performing. It had musical interludes by the Fraser Hayes Four with accompaniment by Edwin Braden and the Hornblowers, except for the fourth series, when the musical duties were performed by The Max Harris Group.
Promoting the planned fifth series of Round the Horne, Kenneth Horne fell from the stage after suffering a fatal heart attack whilst hosting the annual Guild of Television Producers’ and Directors’ Awards; The series could not continue without him and was withdrawn.
A 2002 BBC radio survey to find listeners’ favourite British comedian placed Horne third, behind Tony Hancock and Spike Milligan.
Today the series is reguarly repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra a digital radio station.
Summary
Each week the show would feature sketches parodying a different subject, several catchphrases and many memorable characters, such as rumbling Sid Rumpole and not forgetting Julian and Sandy.
Clips
Cast
Kenneth Horne
Betty Marsden
Hugh Paddick
Bill Pertwee (Series 1-3)
Kenneth Williams
Details
Radio Channel: BBC Light Program/ Radio2
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Written By:
Barry Took (Series 1-3)
Marty Fieldman (Series 1-3_
Johnnie Mortimer (Series 4)
Brian Cooke (Series 4)
Donald Webster (Series 4)
Produced By: Jakes Brown and John Simmonds
Original Transmission Dates: 7th March 1965 – 9th June 1968
ken you will allways live on in my heart british comedy is a bag of nails without you love love love
Sir(s),
A friend recently sent me a clipping from The Daily Express from December 19th 2013 about the actor Leslie Phillips getting married for the third time, in the report it stated the ‘The suave actor, also found fame in radio’s Round The Horne series’, I am and have been a fan and still listen to the broadcast on BBC’s Radio 4 Extra, I also have books of scripts of the show, and can find no mention of Mr Phillips starring in or being a guest in any episodes.
Could you confirm for me?, as I am in an argument with my mate about his involvement in the series, he said he was i differ of course.
your help would be gratefully appreciated.
Many Thank Clive
We’ll fire off a couple of emails to the BBC and see what comes back, have to admit nobody here was aware and some of us remember when it was broadcast first time. Let you know if we get anything back.
To date we’ve heard nothing back, we think it’s a mistake they meant The Navy Lark which he definiately did star in.
that is what all of us here thought as well, many thanks for your help.