麻豆约拍

Barbara Windsor looks back at the life and career of her old Carry On mate, Hattie Jacques.

Born Josephine Edwina Jacques, Hattie served as a nurse during the Second World War and worked as a welder as well. She made her theatrical debut at London's Player's Theatre, where she gained her nickname "Hattie" and was spotted by producer Ted Kavanagh. He invited her to join the cast of the radio comedy series It's That Man Again, playing greedy schoolgirl Sophie Tuckshop. Before long she was a regular in Educating Archie and then Hancock's Half Hour.

The programme covers Hattie's time in the Carry On films. Hattie appeared in 14 films in the long-running series and became famous as the no-nonsense Matron in four of them. She was known by the team as a warm, kind and endearing lady and became close friends with many of her co-stars including Kenneth Williams and Joan Sims. In the 60s and 70s she was inexorably linked with Eric Sykes, playing his twin sister Hattie in sitcom.

Barbara helps us understand Hattie's turbulent private life and her fruitless search for lasting happiness. Her weight problems are discussed too - and Barbara reminds us that, at the time, this was often seen as an acceptable subject for comedy - something which Hattie went along with but never enjoyed.

Among those remembering this consummate professional will be her son Robin Le Mesurier, long-time friend and husband John Le Mesurier's third wife - Joan Le Mesurier, her official biographer Andy Merriman and Carry On co-star Anita Harris.