ON DEMAND: Hi-De-Hi! (BritBox, from Thursday)
By 1980, Jimmy Perry and David Croft were among Britain's top comedy writers. Dad's Army, which ended in 1977 after nine years on our screens, had made their names, while It Ain't Half Hot Mum, which ran for seven, was drawing to a close. Both series had been inspired by their own experiences, in particular those of Perry, and their next project would be too.
Perry was a redcoat at Butlins after leaving the army, and channelled his memories into the show. Hugely popular throughout the 1980s, Hi-De-Hi! is now returning to our screens courtesy of BritBox. Prepare to be amused by a range of wonderful characters, including world weary comedian Ted Bovis (Paul Shane), his naive sidekick Spike (Jeffrey Holland), chief yellowcoat Gladys Pugh (Ruth Madoc) and cleaner/wannabe superstar Peggy Ollerenshaw (Su Pollard).