The Crown Jewels

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 BBC Archives. After two highly successful series, another five of those episodes have been lovingly re-created 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 26th April, 1955.

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