British Comedy Guide
Love Thy Neighbour. Image shows from L to R: Eddie Booth (Jack Smethurst), Bill Reynolds (Rudolph Walker). Copyright: Thames Television
Love Thy Neighbour

Love Thy Neighbour

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV1
  • 1972 - 1976
  • 54 episodes (8 series)

Pro-white socialist Eddie Booth is disgusted when a black couple move in next door - but far worse than his skin colour, Bill Reynolds is Conservative. Stars Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper, Kate Williams, Tommy Godfrey and more.

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Love Thy Neighbour. Image shows from L to R: Eddie Booth (Jack Smethurst), Joan Booth (Kate Williams), Barbie Reynolds (Nina Baden-Semper), Bill Reynolds (Rudolph Walker). Copyright: Thames Television

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1972 - 1976
Channel
ITV
Episodes
54 (8 series), plus 1 short special
Stars
Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper, Kate Williams, Tommy Godfrey, Keith Marsh, Ken Parry and Paul Luty
Writers
Vince Powell and Harry Driver
Directors
Stuart Allen, Ronnie Baxter, Anthony Parker and William G Stewart
Producers
Stuart Allen, Ronnie Baxter, Anthony Parker and William G Stewart
Company

A hugely popular sitcom highlighting and examining the clashes of class and colour in early-1970s Britain.

In semi-suburban Twickenham, Eddie Booth is a passionately left-wing, ignorant Mancunian bigot who's not afraid of a racial epithet or two. When his new neighbours, Bill and Barbie Reynolds, turn out to be Trinidadian, he's far from pleased. But even worse than their colour - they vote Conservative.

Understandably, Eddie puts Bill's back up right from the off. From football to politics, they support opposing teams. But despite their differences, each man is far more alike the other than either would admit, and a begrudging respect develops between them. After all, there is a common enemy: their wives!

Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 13th April 1972 at 9pm on ITV1

Recording details

  • Teddington Studios

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