The Popularity Ballot

Professor Jimmy Edwards hatches an elaborate plan to win a cash prize in a school popularity contest.

Starting life on BBC TV before transferring to radio, Chiselbury School is run "for the sons of gentlefolk".

Headmaster, Professor James Edwards, MA never misses a trick when it comes to exploiting the students and their parents. Sports pitches are given over to growing vegetables, which the boys nurture for their head to sell. Classes never exceed 95 pupils - 50 if private tuition is paid for at five guineas extra.

It's only thanks to the efforts of the devoted deputy head, Mr Pettigrew, that the school exists at all.

Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.

Adapted by David Climie.

The Headmaster …. Jimmy Edwards
Mr Potter …. Roddy Maude-Roxby
Lumley …. Roger Shepherd

With:

Frederick Treves
Michael Turner
Michael Hammond
John Mitchell
John Cazabon
Richard McCarthy.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1961.