British Comedy Guide
The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions
The Vicar Of Dibley

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.

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Series 1, Episode 5 - Election

The council elections are impending, and David's standing for re-election. When Geraldine unknowingly criticises his performance, the locals decide she'd be a far better candidate. For a woman with no political intent it's a daunting prospect, but David could be willing to strike a bargain...

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

Upcoming repeats

  1. Friday 8th November 2024 at 8:00pm on Gold
  2. Saturday 9th November 2024 at 12:40am on Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
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
Guest cast
Patricia Kane Doris Trott
Edward Kelsey Mr Harris
Fernand Monast Jean-Paul
Alistair McGowan DJ (Voice)
Writing team
Richard Curtis Writer
Paul Mayhew-Archer Writer
Emma Freud Script Editor
Production team
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

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