Fairly Secret Army

Inspired by the 1977 BBC drama 'Secret Army' David Nobb's brilliant Channel 4 comedy series - itself a character spin off from the much lauded Reggie Perrin - set Geoffrey Palmer as Harry Kitchener Wellington Truscott an ex officer of the Queen's Own West Mercian Lowlanders who for some reason refuses to believe that the war is over and is intent on rallying a motley band of clandestine troops to keep the country from falling into the hands of 'lefties, Communists, rapists, Papists and Papist rapists' etc.

Nobb's sparse scripting for Palmer's character (changed from Jimmy to Harry due to copyright reason as the BBC held the 'Perrin' series rights)is a joy to listen to. Some of Harry's mini Soliloquys verge on poetry and, delivered with that hang dog expression that is so Palmer, it's a joy to watch as well.

This series is in dire need of resurrection or at least a DVD outing.