A Holiday in France

A recreation of a missing classic episode of Hancock's Half Hour.

Also missing for 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 recreation, Harry is replaced by his son Andy Secombe.

'A Holiday In France' sees Harry Secombe and Bill leave for a holiday in Southend - but they get on the wrong train and end up in Paris where they first meet Andree.

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 Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.

But 20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives. After two highly successful series, another five of those episodes have been lovingly re-recreated in the BBC Radio Theatre.

The classic Hancock score newly recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.

Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson

The original version was broadcast on the 19th April, 1955.

A BBC Studios production for Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2017.