Sitcom. Two young sweethearts due to be married are separated by the Korean War; years later they meet again, rekindle their romance and eventually get married. Lionel and Jean met after Lionel was helped with his book about his experiences in Kenya by Jean’s daughter Judith. Jean was widowed and ran her own secretarial business. In the final series, Judy and Alistair were married; and Sandy left to marry and live with Harry in Canada.
The final edition (60 minutes) was not a proper episode – it featured new material in framing sequences with Jean and Lionel reminiscing on their relationship since they met again using clips from earlier episodes. Then somewhat surprisingly the show returned Christmas 2005 for 2×45 minute catch up episodes.
production details
UK | BBC One – D.L.Taffner – Theatre of Comedy | 67 episodes, 64×30 minutes 2×45 minutes 1×60 minutes | Premiered 12 January 1992
Script: Bob Larbey Writer: Bob Larbey
Producer and Director: Sydney Lotterby
cast
Judi Dench as Jean Pargetter
Geoffrey Palmer as Lionel Hardcastle
Philip Bretherton as Alistair Deacon
Jenny Funnell as Sandy
Moira Brooker as Judith ‘Judy’ Hanson
Frank Middlemass as Richard ‘Rocky’ Hardcatle
Joan Sims as Madge
Moyra Fraser as Penny
Paul Chapman as Stephen
Janet Henfrey as Mrs. Bale
