From 04/12/1947

By Royal Command, Tommy Handley tours around the BBC's Broadcasting House trying to liven up some old favourites.

Recorded at the BBC Concert Hall in the presence of the King and Queen and Princess Margaret.

With Jack Train, Lind Joyce, Hugh Morton, Deryck Guyler, Fred Yule, Joan Harben, Diana Morrison and Hattie Jacques.

It's That Man Again - ITMA made a radio superstar of Tommy Handley (1894-1949) and had more than 20 million devoted listeners to the BBC Home Service each week - with millions more around the world. The show's title came from a newspaper headline used in stories about Adolf Hitler in the lead up to the Second World War.
Catchphrases like "TTFN - Ta-Ta for now" and "Can I Do You Now, Sir?" coupled with a frenetic, topical approach made it utterly distinctive.

From 1939 to 1949, over 310 episodes were broadcast, breaking away from existing comedy and music hall conventions with an anarchic and irreverent style - created by its writer Ted Kavanagh.

BBC Variety Orchestra, conducted by Rae Jenkins.

Producer: Francis Worsley.

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in December 1947.