British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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Carry On, Constable. Sgt. Frank Wilkins (Sid James). Copyright: Peter Rogers Productions
Sid James

Sid James

  • British
  • Actor

Sid James features

Hancock. Image shows left to right: Tony Hancock (Tony Hancock), Nurse Rawlings (Judith Stott) TV

Hancock and The Girl

Sunday 12th May 2024

Whilst the 1963 Hancock series is not well-known today, one episode in particular has stand-out quality to it that offers a tantalising glimpse of Tony Hancock's genius.

Hancock's Half Hour. Image shows left to right: Sidney Balmoral James (Sid James), Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock). Credit: BBC Live

Hancock's Half Hour on the stage at 70

Thursday 9th May 2024

Ahead of comedian Tony Hancock's centenary and the 70th anniversary of sitcom Hancock's Half Hour on radio, actor and producer John Hewer discusses his new stage production of three scripts from lost television episodes.

Educating Archie. Peter Brough. Copyright: BBC Radio

Steam radio: a Baby Boomer's personal memory of post-war wireless comedy

Thursday 7th March 2024

With ever-more BBC radio archival treats now available to buy and enjoy again, self-identified Baby Boomer Hercules Grytpype-Thynne shares his personal memories and pays tribute to some of the biggest shows of the post-war era in this ode to brilliant comedy on the wireless.

Film Fun: Tony Hancock Features

Comics in comics

Sunday 17th September 2023

Julian Dutton looks at the comic strips that have featured comedians. Tony Hancock, Terry-Thomas, Harry Secombe and Ken Dodd were amongst those featured in publications like Film Fun - it's a rich history of how comedians were perceived.

Comedy Legends. Sid James. Copyright: 3DD Film

The lesser-known comedies of Sidney James

Thursday 26th January 2023

Sid James is a much-loved figure in British comedy, but he appeared in many more films than the iconic Carry On series.

Golden Age of British Comedy tribute. Image shows left to right: Henry Dawe, Mary Piercy, Scott Simpson Features

Wordy tribute celebrates Golden Age talents in BBC's centenary year

Monday 21st November 2022

Three actors, one script and dozens of names! The Golden Age of British Comedy is honoured in the first of six audio instalments.

Bless This House. Image shows from L to R: Sid Abbott (Sid James), Jean Abbott (Diana Coupland). Copyright: Thames Television Features

Comedy Rewind: Bless you for watching Bless This House

Sunday 31st January 2021

As it turns 50 years old, Comedy Rewind takes viewers back to the classic Sid James family sitcom Bless This House.

Sid James Features

Sid James: A centenary celebration

Wednesday 8th May 2013

On his 100th birthday, comedy historian and biographer Robert Ross reflects on the legacy of screen legend Sid James.

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