Words by: Tricia Martin
Walmington-on-Sea’s finest are
back on parade, as stars recreate
lost episodes of Dad’s ArmyI
t’s one of our all-time favourite
sitcoms, and virtually every TV
viewer of a certain age has a soft
spot for the likes of blustering
Captain Mainwaring, suave Sergeant
Wilson and that ‘stupid boy’ Private Pike.
But while the series’ 80 episodes
are regularly repeated even now, 50
years after they were first shown, three
instalments from series two, which aired in
1969, aren’t ingrained in viewers’ memories.
For in a move that is unthinkable now, aftertheir broadcast, the BBC were short
of tapes and recorded over them!
Now UKTV has recreated the
missing episodes, using the original
script and a cast of well-known
names bravely stepping into famous
army boots. Here, Cold Feet’s Robert
Bathurst, a perfect successor to John Le
Mesurier as Sgt Wilson, Timothy West, who
nails it as doddery Godfrey, and other cast
members discuss the challenge and thrill of
reviving such well-loved characters.Back on du t y
PRIVATE PIKE
Youngest of the platoon was hapless
Pike, played by Ian Lavender, and
now by Plebs star Tom Rosenthal.
‘Growing up, when I was stupid
my dad used to call me ‘stupid boy
Pike’. It’s sort of like going into
your memories... it feels like
you’re in the middle of a dream.’SGT WILSON
Robert Bathurst takes over
John Le Mesurier’s role.
‘The show you might say is dated,
but it was dated from day one.
The scripts are really well
constructed. The setup, the
development and the payoff really
work, and these three are great
examples of that.’DAD’S
ARMY
Sun-Tue
8pm GoldPRIVATE FRAZER
‘We’re doomed’ undertaker
Frazer is played now by Trial &
Retribution’s David Hayman.
‘To say no to this, you’d have to
be an idiot or come from Mars.
Instantly I said yes, and it’s
been a joy from beginning to end.’NEW
CORPORAL JONES
Clive Dunn became a star as
butcher Jones, who is now
played by Kevin Eldon.
‘I had my Corporal Jones
campaign medals and they
were exactly right. I love that
kind of detail, and so will
Dad’s Army fans.’PRIVATE GODFREY
Timothy West takes over from
Arnold Ridley in the role of
mild-mannered Godfrey.
‘My parents, both actors,
met in the first tour of the
play The Ghost Train
[written by Arnold Ridley],
so I wouldn’t be here if it
wasn’t for him.’PRIVATE WALKER
James Beck played spiv
Joe Walker and the role is
now taken by Gavin &
Stacey star Mathew Horne.
‘It was quite breathtaking
walking on to the set for
the first time. Dad’s
Army’s just part of
our culture.’CAPTAIN MAINWARING
Kevin McNally takes on Arthur
Lowe’s most famous role.
‘Go easy on us, is what I’d
say. We’ve made it with love
and hopefully you can watch it
with love.’As you were... the
original Dad’s Army castSATURDAY MAGAZINE 13TV FEATURE