Created by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke (they of Man About the House and George and Mildred fame), the farcical Father Dear Father starred Patrick Cargill, in a role tailor made for him. He plays wealthy, Rolls Royce driving crime and spy writer Patrick Glover. Divorced Patrick lives in his swanky house in trendy Hampstead longing for the peace and quiet that is constantly interrupted by his two teenage daughters Anna (Natasha Pyne) and Karen (Ann Holloway) both your archetypal dolly birds of the swinging sixties.
Also on hand was Matilda Nanny Harris (Noel Dyson), once Nanny to Patrick and the girls but now more of a housekeeper, Patrick’s best friend was his huge St Bernard dog H.G. Wells but he also remained on good terms with his ex-wife Barbara.
1972 saw a big screen outing and between 1978 and 1980 there was an Australian series which took Patrick down under. The cast all appeared in character in several other shows too including an episode of game show The Golden Shot (1 Mar 1970) and an edition of The Edward Woodward Hour (4 Aug 1971) with the Glovers meeting spy Callan. Then in 1972 Patrick Cargill starred in own hour long variety special called Patrick, Dear Patrick which also featured a segment featuring all of the Glovers.
Between 1969 and 1972 four short specials were also broadcast as part of ITV’s Christmas day All Star Comedy Carnival extravaganzas.
Cast:Patrick Cargill as Patrick Glover; Noel Dyson as Nanny; Natasha Pyne as Anna Glover; Ursula Howells as Barbara; Joyce Carey as Patrick’s Mother; Jeremy Child as Timothy Tanner; Dawn Addams as Georgie Thompson; Tony Britton as Bill Mossman
Writers: Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke /Producer: William G. Stewart
UK / ITV – Thames / 30 minutes / 1968
