British Comedy Guide
Nearest And Dearest. Image shows from L to R: Nellie Pledge (Hylda Baker), Eli Pledge (Jimmy Jewel). Copyright: Granada Television
Nearest And Dearest

Nearest And Dearest

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV1
  • 1968 - 1973
  • 45 episodes (7 series)

Sitcom about brother and sister, Eli and Nellie Pledge, forced to run a pickle factory together. Stars Hylda Baker, Jimmy Jewel, Joe Gladwin, Madge Hindle, Edward Malin and Bert Palmer

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Episode menu

Series 3, Episode 4 - The Power Behind The Throne

The workers at the pickle factory go on strike when told they cannot use the new executive washroom.

Further details

There is an addition to the factory - a brand spanking new W.C., but it is an executive W.C., no cabbage pickers and picklers allowed to pull the chain, only management who hold a special executive key.

Soon, the workers are revolting and they decide to go on strike just as Mr Sidebottom of Sidebottom Supermarkets decides to pay them a visit to see their pickling methods. Eli soon puts a stop to the strike; he makes the head of the strike committee, namely Stan, an executive with a key to the executive lavvy. The rest of the workforce start to snub Stan and soon he reverts back to being a humble pickler and all the factory are on strike yet again.

Nellie gets up to make a rousing speech in the pub and everyone goes back to work on the promise that the "posh lavvy" is destroyed and everything is back to normal. The only problem is Mr Sidebottom is using the "posh lavvy" as the bricks come tumbling down.

Notes

This series was filmed in colour, but ITV was still only broadcasting in black and white at the time of its first transmission.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 30th October 1969
Time
9pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Hylda Baker Nellie Pledge
Jimmy Jewel Eli Pledge
Joe Gladwin Stan Hardman
Madge Hindle Lily Tattershall
Edward Malin Walter Tattershall
Guest cast
Freddie Rayner Grenville
Pat Beckett Vinegar Vera
Rex Arundel Sidebottom
Mark Strong Fred
Writing team
Roy Bottomley Writer
Tom Brennand Writer
Production team
Bill Podmore Director
Peter Eckersley Producer
Eric Deakins Production Designer
Derek Hilton Composer

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