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 4, Episode 1 - The Pit And The Pendulum

Patrick's cherry tree launches an attack on Victor's junipers, which prompts Victor to seek professional help. Victor's interest in tropical fish causes a fresh ruction between the pair.

Further details

Victor and Patrick both have new pets: Victor has a home aquarium with various fish and aquatic life that he's desperately failing to keep alive, whilst Patrick has a miniature dog, Denzil.

The Meldrews hire a gardener, believing the roots of Patrick and Pippa's cherry tree are too extensive, taking 'their' moisture and stopping anything they plant from growing. However, the gardener resembles the "Missing Link" and appears to spend most of his time flirting with Pippa and local schoolgirls rather than getting any form of useful work done.

Meanwhile, Victor is given a present of a collection of seaweed from some local children, and dumps it in the back garden. Denzil investigates and soon extracts a hermit crab from it, which he delivers to a snoozy, sunbathing Patrick in his own garden. It crawls up his leg and makes its presence known with great vigour!

Upsetting gardener Mr Kazanzi when he mistakes his daughter for a bit of fun on the side, Victor ends up in rather the worst situation yet.

Notes

This episode features the infamous scenes both of Victor answering the phone with Patrick's small dog, and being buried in his garden.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 31st January 1993
Time
8:55pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Richard Wilson Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie Margaret Meldrew
Angus Deayton Patrick Trench
Janine Duvitski Pippa Trench
Guest cast
Daniel Peacock Kazanzi
Sarah Bolden Daughter
Katharine Page Margaret's Mother (Voice)
Writing team
David Renwick Writer
Production team
Susan Belbin Director
Susan Belbin Producer
Mike Houghton Editor
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Nick Somerville 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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