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 - The Wisdom Of The Witch

The Meldrews have a tarot reading that prophesies disaster for Victor. Patrick and Pippa sell their home, but a house clearance crew are mistaken for their removal men. Patrick and Victor get snowed in at an old house with a jealous boyfriend and a huge spider.

Further details

Victor has a new job as an odd-job man. But the "odd-job" is being a walking scarecrow, being told that he needed to sift through a farmer's field to look for a long-lost engagement ring. Pippa is jealous of Patrick's personal secretary, who has told her boyfriend that she's been having an affair with him to make him jealous; the boyfriend wants revenge upon Patrick.

Meanwhile, Cousin Ursula has died: the Meldrews need to clear out her house, but the Trenchs are happily packing to move into their new house. Victor accidentally sends the house clearance people next door, so the furniture is destroyed. In a bizarre mix-up, the jealous boyfriend locks Patrick up in Victor's boot, so Patrick is left alone in the house to be cleared with Victor and a poisonous spider which Victor tries to tempt out of the toilet with a banana.

After Victor breaks the news about their furniture, Patrick and Pippa then stay in a hotel where they check into the peep show room, so return stay the night with the Meldrews instead. The jealous boyfriend fights with Patrick and Victor whilst Pippa is frozen with fear in the car with the spider!

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 25th December 1995
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Richard Wilson Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie Margaret Meldrew
Angus Deayton Patrick Trench
Janine Duvitski Pippa Trench
Guest cast
Phil Daniels Melvin
Rachel Bell Lorna
Joanne Engelsman Christine
Bruce Byron Tunstall
Peter McNally Gridley
Peter Terry Postman
Virginie Gilchrist Party Guest
Tony Sibbald American
Writing team
David Renwick Writer
Production team
Susan Belbin Director
Susan Belbin Producer
Mike Houghton Editor
Mark Lawrence Editor
John Asbridge Production Designer
Richard Winter Costume Designer
Vanessa White Make-up Designer
Chris Kempton (as Christopher Kempton) Lighting Designer
Eric Idle Composer
Ed Welch Composer
Martin Kempton Lighting Designer

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