The Last of The Last of the Summer Wine

Ian McMillan pays tribute to TV’s longest running sitcom 'Last of the Summer Wine' which drew to a close in August 2010.

In its heyday, the adventures of senior citizens Compo, Foggy and Clegg drew audiences of 19 million.

It would be hard to argue that the series is anything but a British classic, which seemed immortal.

The lyrical adventures of three bungling, elderly oddballs charmed viewers of all generations for over a third of a century - and this programme charts the show's unbelievable success.

The show was pioneering in many ways, one of which was the decision to have and ultimately set the trend for a double length Christmas special.

Featuring exclusive interviews with major cast members and archive of the late Bill Owen and Kathy Staff, who turned the character of battleaxe Nora Batty into a treasured national icon.

And we delve behind the scenes with writer Roy Clarke and producer/director Alan JW Bell who offer fascinating insights into the show's journey from script to screen.

Cast members pay tribute to Ronnie Hazelhurst's theme music and and Ian McMillan calls to mind his own favourite characters in the series.

Why did the series survive so long, surprising critics, audiences and even the BBC itself which has often been accused of underestimating its importance?

Producer: Stephen Garner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2010.