The Complete And Utter History Of Britain

Only six episodes were broadcast, but the series was written and produced as seven editions. Shortly after recording Episode 2, LWT bosses decided to cut the series to six episodes, making a new first from the highlights of Episodes 1 and 2.

Director Maurice Murphy was so incensed with LWT's decision to bastardise the opening programmes that he personally kept his own private copies of what he had filmed as Episode 1 and Episode 2.

Until the late-2000s, it was believed that the entire series had been wiped. However, the first episode (as broadcast) was discovered 2000s, albeit missing a little from the beginning of the programme (approximately 30-60 seconds).

Shortly afterwards the first two episodes (as produced) were identified amidst Murphy's collection.

Terry Jones personally owned copies of the filmed-on-location sketches and inserts to the show. However, all of the sound effects and incidental music were added during the audience screenings.

The full series was rediscovered in the ITV archive in 2023. Following an internal catalogue audit it was found that the missing episodes had all been logged as Episode 2. The films were cleaned and restored from 16mm telerecordings by R3:STORE Studios.

Like Ripping Yarns, Terry Jones's brother came up with the idea for the series.