Comedians Joe Wilkinson and David Earl have launched a new series, Joe And David’s Magical Sitcom Tour, which delves into the behind-the-scenes stories of some of Britain’s most beloved television comedies. The programme, airing on U&Gold, features episodes dedicated to classics such as Fawlty Towers, Porridge, and The Office, uncovering little-known facts and anecdotes from the shows’ productions.
Among the revelations shared is the fact that Andrew Sachs received a modest £68 per episode for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers. The series also explores creative decisions like Christopher Biggins adding a knitting hobby to his Porridge character Lukewarm, and a notably difficult scene from The Office that required 75 takes due to lead actors Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman repeatedly breaking character with laughter.
An episode focusing on Fawlty Towers includes commentary from John Cleese, who revealed plans for a film adaptation that was never produced. Cleese described a storyline in which Basil Fawlty becomes a reluctant hero after thwarting a plane hijacking, before hijacking the plane himself to return to Spain. Though the idea was considered humorous, it ultimately remained unmade.
To recreate iconic moments, Joe and David sourced a replica of Basil’s Austin 1100 car, complete with a tree branch for the famous scene where Basil hits the vehicle after it breaks down. The setting was filmed in Harrow, the location of the original series’ shoot. For the Porridge episode, the duo staged a detailed reconstruction of Fletch’s prison cell at Park Royal Studios in north-west London. The set included a replica prison jacket worn by Richard Beckinsale’s character Lennie Godber and even a tin of pineapple chunks, a prized commodity in the fictional prison world. Christopher Biggins, who portrayed Lukewarm, participated in the episode and reflected on the loss of his late co-star Beckinsale, describing it as a shock to the cast and fans alike.
Wilkinson has personally long admired Porridge, recalling how he watched it with his parents and later purchased stamps commemorating the show’s 50th anniversary without realizing his mother had done the same. He also declined an opportunity to audition for the role of Fletch in the show's 2016 BBC remake, citing respect for the original series.
David Earl attributed much of his career trajectory to The Office, which inspired him to create his own comedy work. A video he produced about an amateur monster hunter eventually caught the attention of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office’s creators, leading to collaborative roles in their subsequent projects After Life and Derek.
Looking ahead, the pair have indicated plans for future episodes covering additional sitcoms like Blackadder, Only Fools And Horses, and Ever Decreasing Circles. They have also expressed interest in inviting celebrity guests to join the tour and mentioned the possibility of involving Wilkinson’s friend, former rugby star Joe Marler, though coordinating schedules has proven challenging.
Joe And David’s Magical Sitcom Tour is scheduled to air Tuesday at 9 p.m. on U&Gold.