Joan Sanderson and Prunella Scales in After Henry.
The first episode of the sitcom After Henry was broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Four on 17 April 1985. It starred Prunella Scales as Sarah, adjusting to life as a widow. Sarah was caught in an intergenerational struggle with her domineering mother Eleanor and teenage daughter Clare. Eleanor - who heard everything through the local grapevine - was played by the indomitable Joan Sanderson. Clare was Gerry Cowper. After Henry was written by Simon Brett and was a quietly ground-breaking addition to Radio 4’s output.
Sarah worked in the bookshop owned by Russell – played by Benjamin Whitrow - who was her confidante. Coincidentally, Russell was openly gay and in a long-term relationship with Bob. Russell was one of the first examples of a “gay best friend” character, at a time when sympathetic depictions of gay people in the media were rare.
After four radio series up to 1989, After Henry moved to television on ITV. However, many comedies which started on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio have gone on to wider success on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television. These include titles as diverse as Little Britain and The Mighty Boosh, The League of Gentlemen, Miranda and Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge.
April anniversaries
-
Radiophonic Workshop founded
1 April 1958 -
The Boat Race first televised
2 April 1927 -
The Family first episode
3 April 1974 -
The Good Life
4 April 1975 -
New radio branding
4 April 1970 -
Newsround
4 April 1972 -
The Money Programme
5 April 1966 -
American Half Hour
6 April 1935 -
PM and The World Tonight
6 April 1970 -
Pogle’s Wood
7 April 1966 -
How Does Your Garden Grow?
9 April 1947 -
First episode of The Two Ronnies
10 April 1971 -
Launch of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Networking Club
11 April 1994 -
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
11 April 1972 -
Blue Peter Royal Safari
11 April 1971 -
Citizen Smith
12 April 1977 -
Animal Magic
13 April 1962 -
Demonstration of VERA Video Recorder on Panorama
14 April 1958 -
After Henry
17 April 1985 -
Hamlet at Elsinore
19 April 1964 -
First night of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two
20 April 1964 -
Play School
21 April 1964 -
First episode of Top Gear
22 April 1977 -
Children's Newsreel
23 April 1950 -
The Sky at Night
24 April 1957 -
An Age of Kings
28 April 1960 -
First Episode of Waggoners' Walk
28 April 1969 -
The FA Cup Final is first televised
30 April 1938