Season 1

2004-05-17

Frankie Howerd became one of the nation's best-loved comics as a result of a roller-coaster career with many sharp turns, exhilarating highs and sudden dizzying drops. As early as his first television series, The Howerd Crowd, in 1952, he had developed the act that would last the rest of his career: rolled eyes, asides to the audience, the sudden switch to a high-pitched voice and exaggerated "ooohs" and "aaahs". Howerd's famous catchphrases have become part of the national vocabulary ("Ooh er missus!", "Titter ye not", "Oooh no!") and his cosy but risque rapport with the audience in stand-up, cabaret and sit-com is often emulated but never surpassed. This compilation draws together the very finest Howerd moments from his numerous stand-up and sketch shows (Nuts in May, An Evening with Francis Howerd, Howerd’s History of England) as well as classic moments from the Carry On inspired sit-com Up Pompeii!