The Missing Hancocks - Radio 4 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)
Genre
Broadcast
Channel
Episodes
23 (5 series), plus 1 factual special
Stars
Kevin McNally, Kevin Eldon, Simon Greenall, Robin Sebastian, Susy Kane, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Andrew Secombe and David Cann
Writers
Producers
Companies
Between 1954 and 1959, BBC Radio recorded 102 episodes of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's comedy classic, Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, it made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Galton & Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.
However, of the shows made, 20 are missing from the BBC archive.
Starting as part of the celebration of Galton & Simpson's diamond anniversary in 2014, BBC Radio 4 commissioned this series (supported by the writers themselves) to recreate the episodes live in front of a studio audience at the BBC Radio Theatre.
The new episodes star Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon, Robin Sebastian, Suzy Kane and - as The Lad Himself - Kevin McNally. The BBC says: "The shows are as fresh today as the day they were written."
Additional details
Also known as
- The Lost Hancocks
Production
Studio
Broadcast details
First broadcast
Friday 31st October 2014 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats
- Thursday 9th January 2025 at 2:30am on Radio 4 Extra - Series 5, Episode 4
- Wednesday 8th January 2025 at 6:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Series 5, Episode 4
- Wednesday 8th January 2025 at 12:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Series 5, Episode 4
Recording details
BBC Radio Theatre