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The Crown Jewels

With Hancock absent, Bill and Harry get caught up in Sid's plot to steal the crown jewels. Stars Andy Secombe. From 2017.

A re-creation of a missing classic episode of Hancock's Half Hour.

Also missing from the original 1955 episode was The Lad Himself, as Tony Hancock had absconded to Rome. He was replaced for the first three episodes of the series by The Goon Show's Harry Secombe. In this re-creation, Harry is replaced by his son Andy Secombe.

The Crown Jewels. As Hancock is absent, Bill is staying with Harry Secombe. Bill and Harry decide to show Andree, recently arrived from Paris, the sights of London but get caught up in Sid's plot to steal The Crown Jewels.

Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Harry Secombe …. Andy Secombe
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Sid James …. Simon Greenall
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly …. Suzy Kane

The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Galton & Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.

Sadly, 20 original episodes are missing from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archives. After two highly successful series, another five of those episodes have been lovingly re-created in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Theatre.

The classic Hancock score newly recorded by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.

Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson

The original version was broadcast on the 26th April, 1955.

A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Studios production for Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2017.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 15 Aug 2024 02:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Harry Secombe Andy Secombe
Bill Kerr Kevin Eldon
Sid James Simon Greenall
Kenneth Williams Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly Susy Kane
Writer Ray Galton
Writer Alan Simpson
Producer Ed Morrish
Producer Neil Pearson

Broadcasts

  • Tue 21 Mar 2017 18:30
  • Tue 28 Mar 2017 07:30
  • Tue 28 Mar 2017 17:30
  • Tue 28 Mar 2017 22:00
  • Wed 29 Mar 2017 05:30
  • Thu 28 Dec 2017 18:30
  • Thu 19 Jul 2018 23:00
  • Wed 24 Feb 2021 08:00
  • Wed 24 Feb 2021 12:00
  • Wed 24 Feb 2021 19:00
  • Wed 14 Aug 2024 07:30
  • Wed 14 Aug 2024 12:30
  • Wed 14 Aug 2024 18:30
  • Thu 15 Aug 2024 02:30

Classic Hancock Clips

A selection of memorable moments from the surviving episodes of Hancock's Half Hour.