Characters From Classic UK Sitcoms Quiz

Answer: The Good Life

"The Good Life" debuted in 1975, and features a middle-aged couple in the posh London suburb of Surbiton who decide to quit the rat race. They become self-sufficient, turning their garden into an allotment, compete with goats, pigs and chickens. Their friends and next-door neighbours, the Leadbetters, are originally horrified about this, but gradually come around and often pitch in and help when things go awry. Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal played the parts of Tom and Barbara Good, Penelope Keith was the snooty neighbour Margo Leadbetter, with Paul Eddington playing her hen-pecked husband Jerry.

Answer: One Foot in the Grave

First shown in 1990, "One Foot in the Grave" followed the exploits of recently-retired Victor Meldrew, played by Richard Wilson. Meldrew is the world's "number one complainer", much to the chagrin of his wife Margaret (Annette Crosbie) and neighbours Patrick (Angus Deayton) and Pippa (Janine Duvitski). Victor's catchphrase was "I don't believe it!".

Answer: Are You Being Served?

"Are You Being Served?" was first seen on UK television in 1973, and was set in Grace Brothers department store. The main characters were all assistants in the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing department. Betty Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) was senior sales assistant in the ladies' department, with Shirley Brahms (Wendy Richard)as her junior.

Other characters included Wilberforce Humphries (John Inman), Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton) and Dick Lucas (Trevor Bannister).

Answer: Fawlty Towers

Despite its enduring popularity , only 12 episodes of "Fawlty Towers" were ever made, filmed in 1975 and 1979. The series was set in a fictional Torquay hotel, run by the eccentric Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) and his domineering wife Sybil (Prunella Scales).

Other regular characters included maid/waitress Polly (Connie Booth), Spanish waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs), and Major Gowen. Ballard Berkeley played the part of this slightly senile gentleman, who was a permanent resident of the hotel.

Answer: On the Buses

The Luxton and District Traction Company was the employer of bus driver Stan Butler, portrayed by Reg Varney. Stan lived at home with his mum Mabel, sister Olive and brother-in-law Arthur. Other characters include fellow-driver Bob Grant (Jack Harper) and their arch-nemesis, Inspector Cyril Blake (Stephen Lewis), known to one-and-all as "Blakey".

The original series of "On the Buses" ran from 1969 to 1973.

Answer: Dad's Army

Debuting in 1968, "Dad's Army" followed the adventures of a group of members of the Home Guard during World War 2. Set in and around the fictional English seaside resort of Walmington-on-Sea, it was one of the most popular British sitcoms of the 20th century. Main characters included Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier) and Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn). Frank Williams played the part of the local vicar, Timothy Farthing, whose church hall was used by both the Home Guard and their chief nemesis, ARP Warden Hodges (Bill Pertwee).

Answer: Porridge

Portrayed by Ronnie Barker, Norman Stanley Fletcher was a habitual criminal, and inmate at HMP Slade. His escapades were featured in "Porridge", originally broadcast between 1974 and 1977. Fellow inmates included Lennie Godber (Richard Beckinsale) and Lukewarm (Christopher Biggins). Prison officers included the stern Mr Mackay (Fulton Mackay) and the kindly Mr Barraclough (Brian Wilde).

Answer: Keeping Up Appearances

First broadcast in 1990, "Keeping Up Appearances" centred around the character Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet!), played by Patricia Routledge. She is a snobbish social climber, much to the exasperation of long-suffering husband Richard (Clive Swift).

Her attempts to better herself were usually thwarted by her sisters Rose (Mary Miller) and Daisy (Judy Cornwell), and slobbish brother-in-law Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes).

Answer: Hi-de-Hi!

"Hi-de-Hi!" was set in the late 1950s/early 1960s in the fictional Maplins holiday camp in Crimpton-on-Sea. Based on real holiday camps of the time such as Butlins and Pontins, the series revolved around the camp employees. Gladys Pugh (Ruth Madoc) was sports organiser and Radio Maplins announcer, who ended every broadcast with the camp catchphrase "Hi-de-Hi!", to which campers were expected to reply with "Ho-de-Ho!".

Other characters included camp comedian Ted Bovis (Paul Shane), chalet maid Polly (Su Pollard) and yellowcoats Spike Dixon (Jeffrey Holland) and Sylvia Garnsey (Nikki Kelly).

Answer: Last of the Summer Wine

"Last of the Summer Wine" ran for 37 years, from 1973 until 2010. Set in and round an unnamed Yorkshire village (the actual filming took place in Holmfirth), it follows the adventures and antics of a group of pensioners. Because of the show's durability, and the ages of the actors concerned, there were numerous cast changes over the years, but one enduring member was Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis).

His cohorts included Compo (Bill Owen), Foggy (Brian Wilde), Seymour (Michael Aldridge) and Truly (Frank Thornton).

Other long-standing cast members included Compo's neighbour Nora Batty (Kathy Staff) and café owner Ivy (Jane Freeman).