Nearest and Dearest

I love this series, yes it's dated, but that's part of its Northern charm.

Try as I might, I can't warm to Jimmy Jewel, but I love everyone else, they're a joy. I think the problem with Jimmy Jewel is he seems a bit 'music hall' and very dated.

The opening episode sets the scene in a wonderful fashion, death is treated in a matter of fact way, and there's an early appearance by Bet Lynch!

From there things continue in a raucous fashion, and credit has to be given to Madge Hindle and Edward Malin in their supporting roles, you couldn't imagine anyone else playing their parts.

Overall though, this is a vehicle for the fantastic talents of Hylda Baker, a fantastic comic actress, who is wonderful with her malapropisms, and her comic timing is spot on.

And of course, the saucy double entendres which must have seemed quite risqué for their time work incredibly well, although of course they wouldn't get away with much of it these days!

Over the whole seven series there isn't really a dull moment, scriptwriting stays sharp throughout, and I find the entire series a joy.