British Comedy Guide
One Foot In The Grave. Image shows from L to R: Margaret Meldrew (Annette Crosbie), Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC
One Foot In The Grave

One Foot In The Grave

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1990 - 2000
  • 42 episodes (6 series)

The grumpy complainer and accident prone Victor Meldrew takes early retirement and finds he has far too much time on his hands. His long suffering wife and neighbours just have to grin and bear it. Stars Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie, Doreen Mantle, Owen Brenman, Angus Deayton and Janine Duvitski

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Series 3, Episode 6 - The Worst Horror Of All

Victor celebrates his return to work but is not pleased that his first day on the job involves a nasty case of vermin control. His bad luck continues that night, when Victor and Margaret visit the BBC with a virtually unconscious window cleaner they believe to be Mrs Warboy's cousin.

Further details

Victor is in A&E because the garden shed collapsed and fell on him. He's sat, sedated, with a fixed grin on his face (for a change!), and is laughing uncontrollably at everything he sees. While they're waiting for Victor's treatment, Jean asks Margaret to take her and Cousin Wilfred to a television recording, which they agree to. As Margaret drives to Jean's from hospital, she drives into a ladder and a man falls onto the roof of their car. When they arrive back to collect Cousin Wilfred, they come across the very concussed and confused man they accidentally picked up earlier. Thinking he's Cousin Wilfred, they take him to the studio where he sleeps throughout the filming and has to be carried to the car, still asleep. After suffering a poorly-attended and boring recording, they carry the man back into the car, still asleep. They arrive back at Jean's to find Cousin Wilfred whom they were supposed to have picked up! Victor finds a job, as a valet, but quickly loses his temper with a pretentious customer and after tolerating his manner for a few hours, is rude to him before walking out once again to glorious retirement.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 8th March 1992
Time
9:05pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Upcoming repeats

  1. Sunday 12th January 2025 at 10:20pm on U&Yesterday

Cast & crew

Cast
Richard Wilson Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie Margaret Meldrew
Doreen Mantle Mrs Warboys
Guest cast
Harold Goodwin Window Cleaner
John Rutland Wilfred (Cousin Wilf)
Jean Challis Mildred
Gordon Peters Ronnie
Bobby Bragg Warm-Up Man
William Chubb Man in Taxi
Rowan Suart Woman in Taxi
Geoffrey Fordham-Barnett Man in Wheelchair
Writing team
David Renwick Writer
Production team
Susan Belbin Director
Susan Belbin Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
John Dunstan Editor
John Bristow Production Designer
Richard Winter Costume Designer
Jean Steward Make-up Designer
Chris Kempton (as Christopher Kempton) Lighting Designer
Eric Idle Composer
Ed Welch Composer

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