New to 4 Extra. Arthur Haynes returns in the sketch show series written by Johnny Speight – best remembered for the creation of Alf Garnett in BBC TV’s sitcom Till Death Do Us Part.
After working with Charlie Chester on a number of series for BBC Radio, Arthur Haynes became a huge comedy star on ITV from the late 1950s. In 1962, he also returned to radio.
Famed for playing a tramp, Arthur always played men of the street who hit red tape and must fight their way out.
His long-running co-star Nicholas Parsons played Arthur’s long-suffering straight man - long before the arrival of Just A Minute. Their running comic battles proved hugely popular – but were sadly cut short when Arthur suffered a heart attack and died aged just 52 in 1966.
In the first of a fresh run of surviving episodes, Arthur’s tramp character latches on to a young, pliable vicar (Parsons) and is soon making himself far too at home in the vicarage – including abusing the larder.
The vicar tries his best to deal with his new visitor, but his suggestion of getting a job only make matters worse. And then it's loan time – followed by the arrival of the all tramp's friends…
Music by the Temperance Seven with vocalist Whispering Paul McDowall
- Producer: Richard Dingley
- First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1962
Publicity contact: FK