Factual documentaries diving into the lives of some of Britain's most influential comedians, comics and actors. Features Daniel Abineri and Martin Glyn Murray.
The story of one of Britain's best-known comedy actors. Sid James will be well remembered for his role as a lecherous Cockney character in the Carry On films. His career, however, involved more than just this series, including stage work, and radio and television comedy such as Hancock's Half Hour.
He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and was a member of the bullion robbery gang in The Lavender Hill Mob but cockney comic Sid James will be remembered most as a star of the Carry On films. This profile, first broadcast in 2000, delves into his private life: his widow Valerie recalls how his hectic lifestyle and workaholic tendencies led to a heart attack at the age of 53, an affair with Barbara Windsor at 59, and his death at age 62 after collapsing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre (unaware of what was happening, the audience laughed, believing the events to be part of the show).
