Russ Abbot

[FlatCap50]

As the UK’s biggest star, was it Russ who was eager to join Last of the Summer Wine, or was the show eager to have him — or maybe it was simply a match made in heaven?

Whenever I watch his episodes tearing around in that Enwhistle vehicle, it feels as if our gang have ‘matured’ from kids into teenagers who’ve just got their first car and suddenly feel gloriously independent.

 

[Graham]

I think he brought his "Basildon Bond" character, along with him.

 

[theatrically_inclined]

I think he brought his "Basildon Bond" character, along with him.

Roy Clarke had written a pilot episode for a Basildon Bond series, called “008 – The Real James Bond”.

 

[Barrychuckle]

I've mentioned it before, but during audience filming, I recall just how excited Alan J Bell was to have Russ in the cast. He really felt it would propel the show to a new younger audience. Sadly it wasn't to be

 

[FlatCap50]

From what I’ve read, the last two series attracted over five million viewers and ranked among the most‑watched shows of the week—an impressive achievement given the number of channels available then and now.

 

[Barrychuckle]

From what I’ve read, the last two series attracted over five million viewers and ranked among the most‑watched shows of the week—an impressive achievement given the number of channels available then and now.

Sadly they weren't the 5m audience the BBC wanted...

 

[maltrab]

I see shows like Strictly get around 5 million viewers and the BBC are over the moon about that, Eastenders averages 2.4 million and even during the 40th only reached around the 5 million, The last series of Death in Paradise 3.4 million, Call the Midwife Christmas 2025 3.5 million, even the King only managed to get 4.5 million on the BBC Christmas Day, Casualty which is long past it's best before date 2.4 million, so as Barry said the BBC thought we should not get any new episodes because of low viewing figures, so all their shows should be in the bin by now.

 

[Barrychuckle]

Just an observation, if you watched a programme on TV in the 80's or 90's you always found someone at work/school who'd watched the same thing at the same time so you could chat about it. This is incredibly unlikely to happen in this day and age....

 

[Graham]

LOTSW hit 18 million viewers at it's peak, I believe.

 

[maltrab]

LOTSW hit 18 million viewers at it's peak, I believe.

I think you are correct Graham, and the BBC who own UK TV and Britbox still rely on LOSW to bring the viewers in

 

[captain clutterbuck]

Do we have the figures for other shows around the last two series of LOTSW to see what the top shows were pulling down as audience figures as a contrast against what LOTSW was getting ?

 

[Barrychuckle]

I think you are correct Graham, and the BBC who own UK TV and Britbox still rely on LOSW to bring the viewers in

The TV License fee will rise to £15 pm in April, whereas an all inclusive membership of this site will be 41.6p a month - Bargain!

Do I get the job as your Marketing Manager Terry?

 

[Graham]

Barry, Auntie said she'll give you a trial apprenticeship in the shop. You can't get fairer than that!

 

[mashibinbin]

Barry, Auntie said she'll give you a trial apprenticeship in the shop. You can't get fairer than that!

It's good to see Tom getting a new underling to buy the bacon butties!

 

[wstol]

As the UK’s biggest star, was it Russ who was eager to join Last of the Summer Wine, or was the show eager to have him — or maybe it was simply a match made in heaven?

Whenever I watch his episodes tearing around in that Enwhistle vehicle, it feels as if our gang have ‘matured’ from kids into teenagers who’ve just got their first car and suddenly feel gloriously independent.

It was Alan JW Bell who was the most excited about Russ Abbot joining the show, I remember reading about it several times before it was shown.
However, he didn't say at that time that it really meant reduced roles for Sallis and Thornton - so not really good news.
It was just a way of keeping the show going.

 

[FlatCap50]

I think it was a great idea and looked to be working well. From what I have read it was due to someone briefly taking over the comedy department that made a decision (not to commission another series) that was contradictory to her predecessors. A very unfortunate twist of fate to say the least.