The Vicar Of Dibley
- TV sitcom
- BBC One
- 1994 - 2020
- 20 episodes (3 series)
Comedy about a small, backward rural village and its female vicar, Geraldine Grainger. Stars Dawn French, Emma Chambers, Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet, John Bluthal and more.
- Series 3, Episode 1 repeated at 2pm on U&Gold
- Streaming rank this week: 190
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 5 - Election
Further details
The local elections are coming up and Geraldine asks who the useless local councillor is: it's David, and he's rather offended by her aspersions! Hugo unwittingly reveals that his father is constantly making continental trips to scout out possible 'twin' towns and villages for Dibley - coincidentally, many are on the south coast of France.
Meanwhile, Geraldine notices the many shortfalls in Dibley's provisions which ought to be dealt with by the local councillor. For example, there are no longer any bus services to other nearby towns or villages; and the ageing Women's Institute require a minibus for their trips.
With his failings as district councillor fresh in their memories, David seems to dash his re-election hopes by giving a rather insulting speech at Frank's birthday party. The villagers are furious, and insist that Geri should run against him, even concocting their own 'dirty tricks campaign' to smear the Horton name.
As the popular support of Dibley residents swells behind the vicar, David grows exasperated. Geraldine, however, has a proposal: she has absolutely no political aspirations whatsoever, and promises David that she will instruct everyone to vote for him if he accompanies her around the village, being pleasant to his constituents and promising to fulfill their needs if they vote for him.
Predictably, the elder Mr Horton finds himself returned to the council in a landslide victory. However, he's soon to dash all hopes of keeping his promises to the villagers, citing budgetary constraints. Geraldine ropes in the entire community to play slowly (not to mention badly) through David's favourite golf course, effectively holding him to ransom. It's not long before he's resolved to keep his original word!
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 8th December 1994
- Time
- 8:30pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
Dawn French | Geraldine Grainger |
Emma Chambers | Alice Tinker |
Gary Waldhorn | David Horton |
James Fleet | Hugo Horton |
John Bluthal | Frank Pickle |
Trevor Peacock | Jim Trott |
Roger Lloyd Pack | Owen Newitt |
Liz Smith | Letitia Cropley |
Patricia Kane | Doris Trott |
Edward Kelsey | Mr Harris |
Fernand Monast | Jean-Paul |
Alistair McGowan | DJ (Voice) |
Richard Curtis | Writer |
Paul Mayhew-Archer | Writer |
Emma Freud | Script Editor |
Dewi Humphreys | Director |
Jon Plowman | Producer |
Richard Curtis | Executive Producer |
Peter Bennett-Jones | Executive Producer |
Sue Vertue | Associate Producer |
Graham Carr | Editor |
Andrew Howe-Davies | Production Designer |
Howard Goodall | Composer |