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 5, Episode 1 - Only A Story

Mrs Warboys has temporarily moved in with the Meldrews after rain flooded her basement flat. Victor is doing battle with the local newspaper, which keeps mixing up the names printed alongside reader contributions.

Further details

Jean is staying with the Meldrews because her basement flat has been flooded in torrential rain, and she's driving Margaret mad. Between tactless comments, heavy bathroom usage and cleaning the house to her own 'better' standard, her presence is being keenly felt. Conversely, Victor's dabbled in some reflexology treatment and seems exceptionally relaxed!

Jean has brought her beloved cockatiel Nick with her, and when it disappears from its cage she drags Victor around town looking for it in a fresh bout of pouring rain. After getting locked out of the house, the pair are forced to take refuge with Mr Swainey, who's hosting a Dixon of Dock Green fan meet-up!

In the midst of all this drama, the local paper has been making a range of sweeping errors, and recently attributed a letter from Victor to "Polly the Penguin" from the local zoo, and a piece featuring Polly vice versa, but in attempting to print a clarification have now swapped over his address with that of the editor!

Unfortunately a recent front-page story about the local MP having a secret homosexual relationship has not been received well and the Meldrews bear the brunt of the readers' complaints.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 1st January 1995
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Richard Wilson Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie Margaret Meldrew
Doreen Mantle Mrs Warboys
Owen Brenman Nick Swainey
Guest cast
Steve Humphrey Reporter
Writing team
David Renwick Writer
Production team
Susan Belbin Director
Susan Belbin Producer
Mike Houghton Editor
Mark Lawrence Editor
Laurence Williams Production Designer
Richard Winter Costume Designer
Vanessa White Make-up Designer
Chris Kempton (as Christopher Kempton) Lighting Designer
Eric Idle Composer
Ed Welch Composer

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