Ah! Well done Robert. Well that's a good clue. I'm not aware of him having any starring sitcom roles though... But could be someone who looks like him. Hmm.
Help, please! Page 2
Michael Robbins played the lead in How's Your Father?. A sitcom which ran for 8 episodes in the mid-seventies.
The show certainly matches the description given by the OP.
So he did, well remembered/found, don. I'm only particularly familiar with the Harry Worth sitcom of the same name.
"Eddie Cropper is a middle-aged man struggling to come to terms with an ever-changing world, and to satisfy the demands of his family."
What a lovely, shiny pate!
Quote: Robert Sacamano @ August 22 2011, 12:36 PM BSTMichael Robbins (best known for playing Arthur in 'On the Buses') played a guard in 'The Great Muppet Caper'.
BINGO!
Thanx.
I came from work just now, and I remembered that lead actor had whiskers (I hope this I s the right word)!
70's show, after all
thank you all
see you on another topics 
Quote: Alex B @ August 22 2011, 2:40 PM BSTI remembered that lead actor had whiskers (I hope this I s the right word)!
Ha ha. Well it's close enough: sideburns.
Secretary was Ivy (actress Sheila Steafel)
I don't understend how she and Eddie Cropper are in 8 episodes only, when IMDB says that full episode list has 7 + 6 episodes?
Quote: Aaron @ August 22 2011, 2:55 PM BSTHa ha. Well it's close enough: sideburns.
Stupid dictionaries.
IMDb is as reliable as asking your dead dog, when it comes to British TV of any age.
However, it is correct that there were 2 series, of 7 and 6 episodes respectively.
Sadly, it doesn't appear to be available on DVD anywhere.
Quote: Aaron @ August 22 2011, 12:37 AM BSTHmmm. Interesting. Trouble is, what you might have seen 'new' on Yugoslavian TV in, say, 1983, could have easily been from 1978 here. But it sounds like we do have a good rough time guide.
May To December would certainly match many of the points, but not the time.
Is that Lesley Dunlop from Emmerdale?
It is Lesley Dunlop, but I couldn't possibly comment on what mucky trash she may have appeared in!
I met her once at the Cosmic Comedy Club, it was a Thursday night so a bit quiet.
She was really nice, and we had a good chat and a laugh.