One Brittas In The Gwenlan

[Jonsmad]

David Renwick also revealed there was a mix-up in the commissioning process after he submitted a speculative script to Gareth Gwenlan for One Foot In The Grave.

He said: ‘I remember getting a bit twitchy and wondering if he would ever ring me back, so I eventually took the bull by the horns and picked up the phone, got hold of him. He said, “Oh yes, yes, sorry, I’ve been meaning to get back to you but I very much like it, and we’d like to commission you to do another script. I’ve only got one slight query which I think might be a bit more emphasis on why he’s taken over this community centre in the first place and how he got in to that whole thing.”

‘I thought, “This doesn’t sound like my show.” It turns out he was talking about The Brittas Empire, which was also on his desk at the time. Then having been pointed out his mistake he says, “Oh yes, I like that as well…”‘

…

Producer Susan Belbin also revealed that BBC executives were not keen on Wilson either – after she signed the deal with Wilson while head of comedy Gareth Gwenlan was away on holiday.

When she told him, he said: ‘On your own head be it! I’m not sure he’s the right man for the part.’

Belbin replied: ‘Oh, I’m sure you’ll find he is’.

And she revealed that after One Foot In The Grave. became a huge success, she would always tease the commissioner with the phrase: ‘On your own head be it!

What a Gwelan! How many more great comedies did we get inspite of him!!!!

10 days left on bbc solent audio documentary on One Foot In The Grave.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02dgn5c

Topic