James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime - Telegraph James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime James Beck, aka Dad's Army's Private Walker, died 40 years ago today. Neil Clark pays tribute. James Beck in Dad's Army Photo: Rex By Neil Clark 7:00AM BST 06 Aug 2013 On 6 August 1973, James Beck, who played the Cockney spiv Private Walker in Dad’s Army, died at the age of 44. Ironically, he was the first member of the predominantly elderly ensemble to die. A highly accomplished actor, it seemed that he was set for a successful career as a character player. However, an addiction to alcohol cost him his life. James “Jimmy” Beck was born in Islington in 1929, the son of a tram driver. He left home at 17 and, after National Service, he pursued a career in the theatre, eventually winning a contract with the York Theatre Company. His breakthrough came in 1968, when he was cast as Private Joe Walker in a new BBC sitcom about the Home Guard.

Jimmy Perry, who created Dad’s Army with co-writer David Croft, originally planned the role for himself, but was persuaded against performing in his own show. “Michael Mills, the head of BBC Comedy said to me: ‘Dear boy, you’ve got to decide which end of the camera you want to be on’,” Perry recalls. “David Croft wisely said that if you’re going to write and perform in it too it might create a difficult atmosphere with the rest of the cast. David had worked with Jimmy before and thought he’d be right for the part. I didn’t know him from a bar of soap.” The casting of Beck, like the other casting choices in Dad’s Army, proved to be inspired. “He was very good,” says Perry. “He had the right mix of cheekiness and charm. He gave the role a bit of oomph.” Everyone loved Jimmy Beck. “He was a nice person to get along with – one enjoyed his company,” recalls Frank Williams who played the Vicar. Related Articles 'A modern Dad’s Army?

Stupid boy...' 14 Nov 2012 “He was the person closest to my own age so I had a particular affinity with him,” says Ian Lavender who played Private Pike and who, together with Williams, is the only surviving regular cast member. “He was a very good actor and a popular one – which doesn’t always go together.” Beck’s career was at its height at the start of 1973. Dad’s Army was becoming increasingly popular and he had won the lead role in an ITV sitcom called Romany Jones. He had also recently co-starred with Arthur Lowe (Dad’s Army’s Captain Mainwaring) in the pilot of a new BBC sitcom, Bunclarke With an E, based on adapted scripts from Hancock’s Half Hour. In August, he was due to appear in a TV play called The Village Concert. The last time his Dad’s Army co-stars saw him alive was on Friday 13th July at the Playhouse Theatre in London where he recorded two radio episodes of Dad’s Army (which ran alongside the TV series). The following afternoon Beck was opening a school fête when he suddenly became ill and had to be taken home by his wife Kay.

He was then rushed to hospital where he lost consciousness. He died three weeks later, due to a combination of heart failure, renal failure and pancreatitis. “It was a terrible shock” says Jimmy Perry. “We all knew he was a heavy drinker, but we didn’t bother much about it. There were a lot of heavy drinkers about in the business in those days. The only time I thought there might be something seriously wrong was when we were shooting the outdoor scenes for an episode in which the platoon were being chased by a pack of bloodhounds and Captain Mainwaring got them to take off their boots and socks and roll up their trousers. I saw Jimmy’s legs and they were purple. It was the last episode he appeared in before he died.” At the suggestion of Kay, Lavender took over Beck’s part in The Village Concert. “The recording took place on the day of Jimmy’s funeral. It was all very sad,” says Lavender. What might Beck have achieved had he lived? He had received a congratulatory letter from Laurence Olivier for his portrayal of Archie Rice in The Entertainer and Beck was keen to stretch himself professionally.

Williams remembers seeing him in Staircase, about a pair of gay lovers, at the Palace Theatre in Watford. “It couldn’t have been more different from the role of Private Walker but he was tremendous. I have no doubt that, had he lived, he would have become one of Britain’s leading character actors.” Dad's Army stars series relaxing on set in never-before-seen photos | Daily Mail Online comments They are the most celebrated Home Guard platoon in history, a band of men who changed the course of television comedy, if not actually the course of the war. But here they are as we never saw them at the time – Dad’s Army, out on manoeuvres in the wilds of Walmington-on-Sea. In a rare photographic record, cast members of the legendary series are shown mixing with locals in the fictional seaside town as they record episodes that will later delight audiences around the globe. But the backdrop is not exactly the coastal front line against Hitler’s planned invasion during World War II. Don’t tell ‘em, Pike, but it’s the countryside around Thetford in Norfolk, where most of the filming took place.

And as these images suggest (to borrow a phrase from Corporal Jones) the natives certainly seem to like it up ‘em. Scroll down for video Left to right: John Le Mesurier, who played Sergeant Arthur Wilson, Arthur Lowe, who played captain Mainwaring and James Beck, who played Private Joe Walker are pictured between shoots with Eric Burroughes, the owner of the farm where filming was taking place Ian Lavender, who was made famous by his portrayal of the gormless Private Pike, is pictured on Walnut Tree Farm, Bressingham Arthur Lowe has a stretch while standing next to Tim Ball, who appeared in the episode Come In, Your Time Is Up, as a boy scout James Beck poses with extras from the Thetford Am Dram Society. Keith Eldred, the leader of the society, was often called on to provide extras for scenes and recalls that his actors were usually paid £10 per day They posed for pictures with the cast, went to parties with them, enjoyed dinner dates together after appearing as extras in dozens of episodes – and occasionally kept the stars supplied with liberal quantities of alcohol.

Now, as filming is about to start elsewhere on a big-screen remake of the comedy classic, the Dad’s Army Appreciation Society – membership 1,400 and rising – has turned the clock back nearly half a century to the days when Captain Mainwaring and his fearless men first invaded the inland market town. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share David Croft, who co-wrote the series with Jimmy Perry and lived in neighbouring Suffolk, asked the chairman of the local amateur dramatic society in the late 1960s to assemble extras for the series. ‘I quickly became very popular,’ Keith Eldred, now president of the Thetford Players, told the Daily Mail yesterday. ‘When we started to be paid, I became even more popular. 'I drafted in extras from all sorts of places – the drama society, the golf club, friends, my wife… even my parents featured in one episode.’ In total, hundreds of people were involved, including an entire Scout troop and the local Women’s Institute.

more videos Passenger insults flight attendant before being led away by police Taking it easy: John Le Mesurier has a cigarette break between shots at Walnut Tree Farm Clive Dunn, who played Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, relaxes in a chair in Nether Row, Thetford. While the series was set in the fictional coastal town of Walmington-on-Sea, most of the filming took place in Norfolk Arnold Ridley, who played Private Charles Godfrey, is pictured on set. Michael Gambon will take on his part in a new film adaptation Arnold Ridley, wearing what appears to be a fireman's uniform, sits on a bench in Thetford. These images are all that survives to document the Thetford filming, as the BBC either ditched or lost the other records Mr Eldred, now 79, entertained the cast one day at a party in his house, which appeared in some of the backdrops. (The retired chartered surveyor’s wife Margot recalled: ‘They drunk us out of whisky and gin and everything else, but we didn’t mind.’) Mr Eldred continued: ‘They all signed our visitors’ book. They were charming company but they didn’t pull punches.

John Le Mesurier was playing my piano and complained it was a rotten piano and was out of tune. It seemed to get better after a couple of gin and tonics though.’ 'James Beck [who played spivvy Private Joe Walker in the first series] was constantly chatting up all the girls. Clive Dunn [Corporal Jones] had what Mr Eldred described as ‘a rather cracking wife who used to insist on sunbathing in bikinis’. He added: ‘They were all lovely people. Most of the days involved us sitting around for long periods while they set up a shot, so some days were long and boring. But it was great fun, and quite an exciting time for our little community in Thetford.’ Virtually all the best loved episodes feature Norfolk extras in non-speaking parts or background scenes. In ‘The Test’, the platoon is challenged to a cricket match by the ARP wardens, who have recruited a top class bowler to their ranks (played by England cricketer Fred Trueman). Mr Eldred played short leg to Capt Mainwaring. ‘Trueman bowled one ball, which was all he was required to do,’ said Mr Eldred.

‘He then spent the rest of the day regaling us with some very doubtful stories about his career in Yorkshire cricket.’ At ease, soldier: John Laurie, who played Private James Frazer, is pictured during filming for the Battle Of The Giants episode at Frog Hill on the MOD Training Area in Norfolk Expert camouflage: Bill Pertwee, dressed as Chief Warden Hodges, plays around on set during filming in Wacton. The crew used Rosalyn Barrett's house (pictured) for filming, and while she was only paid £10, Mr Pertwee agreed to take her and her husband out for dinner Keith Eldred, the head of a Am Dram society near to where filming took place, became a popular fixture on set. He recalled that James Beck (pictured) 'was constantly chatting up all the girls' Arthur Lowe, in full Captain Mainwaring uniform but with a cigarette dangling uncharacteristically from his lips, signs his name for two young autograph hunters In ‘Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel’, the platoon is chosen to help test the War Office’s latest secret weapon. Some of the filming took place in Rosalyn Barrett’s garden in Wacton, a small village south of Norwich.

‘There wasn’t much happening in Wacton in the 1970s so it was quite something,’ she said yesterday. ‘I think we got paid £10 for a day’s filming, which didn’t exactly change our lives. But Bill Pertwee [Warden Hodges] came round to take me and my husband out for a meal, which was lovely. They were such pleasant people to be with, not uppity at all.’ Mrs Barrett, 65, still has a Kodak Brownie snapshot of herself with cast members, including one that shows her arm in arm with the ‘delightful’ John Le Mesurier. And her house is firmly on the Dad’s Army map – ‘Every now and then we get a coachload of fans coming by on tour,’ she said. The series ran for nine years from 1968 and pulled in 18million viewers at its peak. It is still being shown on mainstream TV and attracts new generations of followers every year. The photographs are the only known record of the Thetford days, however – the BBC is said either to have ditched or lost any it might have had in its archives, along with the list of filming locations.

Between takes on the set of The Deadly Attachment, Bill Pertwee and Edward Sinclair - who played verger Maurice Yeatman - are seen reading a paper (left). John Laurie and Arnold Ridley are seen waiting for the camera to roll on the set of The Captain's Car Mr Eldred recalled that John Le Mesurier was once playing his piano, but 'complained it was a rotten piano and was out of tune' John Laurie, outside The Six Bells pub in Suffolk. Dad's Army ran for nine years from 1968 and pulled in 18million viewers at its peak Clive Dunn stands with a local girl in Bardwell, Suffolk. The images were collected by the Dad’s Army Appreciation Society secretary Tony Pritchard, who went to locations where the series was filmed and asked for snapshots They were obtained by Dad’s Army Appreciation Society secretary Tony Pritchard, who spent nine years researching precise locations for a companion guide to the series. He traced many of those who allowed TV crews to use their land, property or services, and collected snapshots they took at the time.

The prints are now part of the society’s display of recreated sets, vehicles and memorabilia at Bressingham Steam Museum in Diss, Norfolk. One shows Arthur Lowe, in full Captain Mainwaring uniform but with a cigarette dangling uncharacteristically from his lips, signing his name for two young autograph hunters. Another shows actor James Beck in 1970s civvies as he relaxes with two clearly delighted am-dram stars in the making. Thetford being 50 miles from the sea, Great Yarmouth, Wisbeach and Lowestoft were used for some locations (how else might a German U-Boat crew get to Walmington?); and Thetford station became Walmington-on-Sea station whenever required. The closest the cast got to the heavily guarded wartime English Channel was Brighton, where filming was relocated during a 1973 BBC strike.

Clive Dunn sits with a local boy on the set of The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones, filmed at High Lodge, Brandon, Norfolk David Croft, the producer and director of Dad's Army, is pictured in Thetford on the set of Time On My Hands Arnold Ridley and his wife Althea sit next to John Laurie, as he does crossword. John Laurie and Ian Lavender would see who could finish the word puzzle first John Laurie takes on another crossword in while sitting in Nether Row, Thetford, during filming for Time On My Hands ‘The appeal of Dad’s Army is that it’s simple fun,’ Mr Pritchard said. ‘It’ s not vulgar or nasty – it’s just clever, straightforward, timeless humour… with brilliant writing and a magical cast that just came together so naturally.’ Only Ian Lavender – immortalised as ‘stupid boy’ Private Pike – survives as one of the seven main platoon characters. But reinforcements are on hand. As revealed in the Mail last week, seven new actors are lined up for a big screen remake of Dad’s Army, with Toby Jones, from Hunger Games, playing Capt Mainwaring, and filming is expected to start soon in Bridlington, Yorkshire.

The proposal has provoked anger from some fans. Perhaps surprisingly, Mr Pritchard, who has met the directors, is not among the dissenters. ‘They know what they’re dealing with,’ he said. ‘They fully understand that it’s a national treasure.’ Of the original cast, only Ian Lavender (second right) survives today, as filming begins on a movie re-make of the television series The cast of the new Dad's Army film - including Blake Harrison as Private Pike (fifth right) and Michael Gambon as Private Godfrey (far right) - are pictured lined up on the first day of filming in Scarborough, Yorkshire Dad's Army uncovered: 35 things you need to know about the BBC comedy classic - Mirror Online TV Dad's Army uncovered: 35 things you need to know about the BBC comedy classic It has been 35 years since Dad's Army finished its original telly run - check out our essential need to know facts about the comedy favourite Share Get celebs updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Despite its original run ending 35 yesterday, Dad’s Army still has a prominent pride of place in British TV history.

More than just a comedy, few other shows have contributed as many immediately recognisable moments that are remembered so fondly across all ages. So are the show's stars - Clive Dunn's recent sad passing evidenced one again how Dad's Army has stayed with viewers across the years. Think you know everything there is to know about this national telly treasure? Think you’re dooooooooooomed? Well don’t panic! Here are 35 facts on the adventure of the Home Guard during Britain’s finest hour! 1. Television and beyond! Dad’s Army ran for an epic 80 television episodes across nine series from 1968 to 1977 as well as a number of short sketches. But it wasn’t all about television: the Captain Mainwaring and his men also crossed radio and stage on their way to becoming national treasures. 2. Almost Mainwarings Arthur Lowe is most famous for his role as bumbling Captain George Mainwaring, a character some of his co-stars thought resembled him! But he wasn’t the first choice.

Some BBC bosses, including Head of Comedy Michael Mills, were against his casting and the role was offered to Thorley Walters and even future Doctor Who Jon Pertwee before Lowe took on his most famous part. 3. They don’t like it down ‘em! Arthur Lowe certainly knew what comedy he liked and knew what he didn’t. In one episode he refused to film a scene where Private Frazer tries to free a bomb from Captain Mainwaring’s trousers. After a few rewrites, as you may remember, Corporal Jones ended up taking the bomb for the team. But Arthur Lowe insisted on something a bit more permanent: he had a clause written into his contract that he would never have his trousers removed! 4. War veterans View gallery Corporal Jones may always be the first of the platoon to want to ‘stick it up ‘em’ but the late Clive Dunn , who served four years in prisons and prisoner of war camps in Austria during WW2, was a pacifist. Other members of the cast and crew had fought not only in the Second World War, but also the First such as Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey).

During WWII, Arthur Lowe served as a Sergeant Major and John Le Mesurier a Captain, while director/producer David Croft rose to the rank of major after joining the Royal Artillery in 1942. 5. Real Home Guard Of the television Home Guard platoon only John Laurie (Frazer) and Arnold Ridley (Godfrey) had actually served in the real Home Guard during the Second World War. Ridley had joined the Home Guard’s forerunner, the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940, narrowly escaping injury or death when his cottage was hit by a bomb in 1944. Laurie was also a veteran of the First World War, as a member of the Honourable Artillery Company. 6. Permission to sing, sir! Video Loading Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now The late Clive Dunn achieved fame as one of the most quotable characters in Dad’s army, Corporal ‘Don’t Panic’ Jones. But at the same time he was playing the role, he also managed to score a number one hit single with 1971’s ‘Grandad’ – a song that featured none other than Rick Wakeman on keyboards.

It certainly wasn’t the end of Dunn’s musical career - he even released his own album, ‘Permission to Sing Sir!’ 7. Private Perry! One of the show’s most popular characters, Private Pike (played by Ian Lavender ) was based on writer Jimmy Perry’s real life experience as a teenager being molly-coddled by his mum. "She didn't go so far as making me wear a scarf, but she came pretty near" he said. Shouldn’t have told us that, Pike! 8. Almost Walkers While Pike may be semi-autobiographical, and perhaps because of it, Jimmy Perry wrote the character of spiv Private Joe Walker to play himself. Eventually James Beck was cast after co-writer David Croft told Perry to choose between acting or writing! Despite the ultimatum, Perry did manage to fit in a cameo in the sixth episode of the first series ‘Shooting Pains’ as Charlie Cheeseman. 9. The real life Walmington-on-sea The outside scenes of the fictional Walmington were actually filmed in Thetford, Norfolk.

You’ll know if you’re there: Since 2007, a statue of Captain Mainwaring has sat on a bench by the Little Ouse river. 10. Mrs Mainwaring Where was Mrs Mainwaring? (Photo: BBC) 1968 was a great year for unseen wives. Not only did Dad’s Army start in the UK, but it was also the year that Colombo kicked off across the Atlantic. “She hasn’t left the house much since Munich” Captain Mainwaring said about his never-seen wife... Or did she? Mrs Mainwaring actually made an appearance in the Dad’s Army Annual 1974 story ‘Mum’s Army’. 11. The American remake Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Yes, another one! ABC filmed a pilot in 1976 for their version of Dad’s Army - The Rear Guard featured the WWII antics of the American Civil Defense! You can’t blame them for adapting the classic u-boat episode ‘The Deadly Attachment’ for the first show, but a full series was never commissioned. Perhaps the idea of a German invasion of America was just a bit too far-fetched! 12.

Game on One for Dad's Army fans of a slightly younger generation Sadly the heyday of Dad’s Army was over far before video games hit the shelves. But that hasn’t stopped tributes popping up. The Sega Mega-CD version of Mortal Kombat had a special cheat called ‘Dad’s code’ which replaced the names of original fighters such as Sub-Zero, Raiden and Kitana with those of Mainwaring, Frazer, Pike and gang! 13. Where’s the movie? If you sit back with your complete Dad’s Army DVD collection of all nine series you might think something’s missing. Where’s the 1971 film? In fact, while the series is owned by the BBC, the film is owned by Columbia Pictures. When it was made in between television series, they insisted on a number of changes, including recasting Mrs Pike. 14. Carry On Dad’s Army! There were a number of cross-over actors between the two comedy franchises. Ian Lavender (Pike) starred in Carry on Behind while Bill Pertwee managed to make two Carry On films. Actresses fared a little better.

Barbara Windsor guest starred as a fairground sharpshooter in the sixth episode of the first series while the late Wendy Richard not only appeared in two Carry On films, co-starring with Barbara Windsor in the early 1970s, but also managed to play two separate characters in Dad’s Army. 15. Don’t panic! Dad's Army, Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, James Beck, John Laurie, Ian Lavender and Arnold Ridley (Photo: PA) The BBC are normally ready for a crisis... Even today Auntie keeps an episode of Dad’s Army in the wings as an emergency back-up just in case a show goes off air. Sound far-fetched? It happened when the 6 o’clock news was hit by a power-cut in 2000. 16. The missing episodes In the 1960s, BBC storage policies weren’t future proof. With VHS not even a glimmer in a VCR, programmes rolls took up lot of valuable space. So the BBC decided to bin episodes of many classic shows! Early episodes of Doctor Who are perhaps the most famous casualties, but Dad’s Army was not immune.

While the comedy came out of it better than most, three episodes from the second series remain lost to this day. 17. How popular? In the late 1960s, early Dad’s Army first screened to an audience of 8 million, a figure a lot of TV executives would beg for today. However, in the 1970s heyday of audience figures the sit-com found itself near the top of the pile, attracting more than 18 million viewers at its peak. 18. One of Britain’s best sitcoms (Photo: Daily Mirror) In 2004, Dad’s Army came fourth in a BBC poll to find Britain’s best sitcom. It may have lost out to new pretenders The Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and Only Fools and Horse’s but it beat Fawlty Towers into fifth. 19. Dad’s Army: The Sequel! It happened! In 1981, a sequel called ‘It Sticks Out Half a Mile’ was recorded for BBC Radio, starring Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier. Sadly, Lowe died soon after the recording, but a full 14 part series was made at the insistence of Lowe’s widow.

The new series featured former Warden Hodges and former Private Pike renovating a pier with a loan from ‘Uncle Arthur’. 20. The radio show! Before the sequel, ‘Dad’s Army’ was no stranger to radio. Many of the television episodes were adapted for BBC Radio 4 by writing duo Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles. As you may expect, some classic scenes had to be adapted for the new media, but the main change was the addition of a ‘newsreader’ who added an extra WWII atmosphere to each installment. 21. The stage show! In 1975 the hit TV series even transferred to the stage, featuring many of the original cast under what could be greatest show name ever: ‘Dad's Army: A Nostalgic Music and Laughter Show of Britain’s Finest Hour’. It may have been twice disrupted by bomb scares during its four month run in the West End, but went on to tour the country until September 1976. Clive Dunn who plays Corporal Jones right to left Ian Lavender as pike and James Beck as Private Walker (Photo: Daily Mirror) 22. Private Den!

In 2007 the stage show was revived, with adaptations of classic television scripts. The show ran for a year with ex-Eastender villain Leslie Grantham as Private Walker. 23. The Stage Show Down Under! Audiences could enjoy Dad's Army—The Musical in Australia and New Zealand in 2004 and 2005. If you’re itching for a look, you can find some clips on the series DVDs. 24. The Dad’s Army Appreciation Society Former cast members Bill Pertwee (Warden Hodges) and Frank Williams (the Vicar) set up the Appreciation Society in 1993. The Society helped set up the Dad’s Army Collection and its 1,700 members host a variety of events around the country proving that the show still has a strong fan base. 25. That theme tune! 30. One’s favourite show When Bill Pertwee, Captain Mainwaring’s nemesis Warden Hodges, collected his MBE in 2007 he let slip a royal secret... Her Majesty is apparently a Dad’s Army fan.

The Queen Mother was also said to enjoy spending an evening watching the show - her VHS copies of the show can be seen in the Castle of Mey, her Scottish residence in Caithness. 31. Festive army Dad’s Army became a familiar sight in the festive schedules with specials in 1971, 1975 and 1976. But yuletide recognition was some time coming: in 1968, 1969, 1970 and then again in 1972 the show only featured in short specials as part of the BBC’s Christmas Night with the Stars. 32.

‘You stupid boy!’ Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bill Nighy among star-studded new Dad's Army cast - Telegraph TV and Radio Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bill Nighy among star-studded new Dad's Army cast New Dad's Army film to feature a cast including Catherine Zeta Jones, Sir Tom Courtenay, Sir Michael Gambon, Bill Nighy - and Blake Harrison of the Inbetweeners Catherine Zeta-Jones (left) and Bill Nighy (centre) who will play John Le Mesurier's character Sergeant Wilson (right) Photo: Reuters. BBc. TopFoto Follow It is a cast whose resemblance to the original members of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard would have surely kidded Mr Hitler. There will, however, be one glamorous character in a new big-screen version of Dad’s Army who viewers will not recognise from the classic sitcom. Catherine Zeta-Jones will play a journalist sent to report on the exploits of the bungling platoon in the film, which goes into production this month. Her arrival is expected to cause quite a stir among Captain Mainwaring’s men and their long-suffering womenfolk.

The actress has been announced among a host of acting luminaries making up the cast of the long-awaited film. The line-up will include Sir Tom Courtenay, Sir Michael Gambon and Bill Nighy. Related Articles Ian Lavender says Dad's Army was tailored to original cast 29 Apr 2014 Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, the butcher whose catchphrase “Don’t panic!” has become synonymous with the sitcom, will be played by Sir Tom, 77, who originally rose to fame in the same decade that Dad’s Army was first released, in films such as Billy Liar and Doctor Zhivago. Sir Michael, 73, will take on the role of Charles Godfrey, the ageing, mild-mannered private whose sister Dolly often provides refreshments for the platoon. Captain George Mainwaring, the pompous but well-meaning bank manager in command of the platoon, will be played by Toby Jones, 48, who was the voice of Dobby, the house elf, in the Harry Potter films. Nighy will appear as his deputy, Sergeant Arthur Wilson.

From left: Arthur Lowe as Captain George Mainwaring (top) and Toby Jones (bottom); Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones (T) and Sir Tom Courtenay (B); James Beck as Private Joe (T) Walker and Danny Mays (B) A casting choice which caused particular amusement following its announcement on Wednesday was the choice of one of the stars of The Inbetweeners sitcom as Pike, the hapless private often dismissed by Cpt Mainwaring as “You stupid boy”. Blake Harrison, 29, who plays the slow-witted Neil Sutherland in the E4 comedy, joked that he was simply “playing a stupid boy again”. Other cast members will include Danny Mays, as Walker, the black market spiv, Sarah Lancashire, Alison Steadman, Mark Gatiss and Annette Crosbie. The film, which will be directed by Oliver Parker, the director of the most recent St Trinian’s films, is set in 1944 as the Allies are poised to invade France.

Spirits among the Walmington-on-Sea home guardsmen, who have seen very little action during the war, are low, so the arrival of Zeta Jones, 45, as a “glamorous journalist” sent to write about their exploits helps to boost morale. From left: Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey (top) and Sir Michael Gambon (bottom); John Laurie as Private James Frazer (T) and Bill Paterson (B); Ian Lavender as Private Pike (T) and Blake Harrison (B) Her presence “sets the pulses racing” and puts local women on “red alert”, according to the makers of the film. Her visit comes as the hapless volunteers are charged with tracking down a spy. The original sitcom ran from 1968 to 1977, attracting 18 million viewers at its height. The cast, including Arthur Lowe as Capt Mainwaring and Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones, went on to make a film based on the series in 1971. Some two million still people tune in for repeats of the old show which was the creation of Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Filming, which will begin this month, will take place entirely on location in Yorkshire. The project is being funded by Screen Yorkshire, which is financed by the European Commission. The cast: MainCharacters RETURN Lance Corporal Jack Jones (played by Clive Dunn) An experienced soldier, with many years service (and medals) to his name, Jack Jones clearly defines an old campaigner. He served with General Gordon, Lord Kitchener and General Macully becoming very fond of the cold steel. He may have mentioned that "they don't like it up 'em". Loaded with stories of adventure and heroism, Pte Pike made the perfect audience for him. Jones runs the local butchers shop, which had been handed down to him from his father, and the platoon were fortunate enough to have the use of his butchers van as troop transport, once Walker and he had converted it. Mainwaring regarded Jones as a bit of a hazard, but as he said when he first made him Lance Corporal, "his experience will stand us in good steak er... stead". Apart from killing Nazis he has only one ambition in life - to marry Mrs Fox.

RETURN Private James Frazer (played by John Laurie) Every town has a purveyor of doom and gloom. Everything, according to him, will turn into a disaster. James Frazer could almost be right in thinking this way when he joined the Home Guard. As the local undertaker, it is inevitable that he would see the war through different eyes. A war would bring about an increase in business after all! It is a little known fact that he also ran the local philatelist shop on the sea front, which he opened during the summer months. During the quieter months he indulged in his other hobby of hand making coffins. It was not always this way. He spent his youth on the wild and lonely Isle of Barra off the west coast of Scotland. It was a hard life. Being so close to the sea, he would eventually serve in the Royal Navy, reaching the position of Chief Petty Officer. Like Jack Jones, James Frazer also has a wealth of stories to tell, albeit of a different nature. His were of adventure in exotic lands, strange and supernatural happenings. The whole platoon listened in awe when Frazer spun his yarn...

RETURN Private Joe Walker (played by James Beck) If you need anything from whiskey to knicker elastic, watches or even weapons, Joe Walker will get them for you. "Mind you, as its war-time it will cost you, 'cos you can't get 'em". Joe is a typical cockney spiv, making his way through life ducking and diving, trying to avoid the law. Moving down to the south coast from his native Plaistow in east London to avoid call up, he was registered as having a reserved occupation (a banana salesman, as he once said) until the authorities eventually caught up with him. Luckily for him, he was allergic to corned beef, which invalided him out of the army, only to return to serve the needs of the local community. Walker very rarely dealt with money, relying on the bartering system to do business, and occasionally using his skills to do a little work for charity. One of the cleverest in the platoon, others turned to him for inspiration in a tricky situations. RETURN Private Charles Godfrey (played by Arnold Ridley) With experience in the Army and Navy, you'd think that Charles Godfrey was the ideal man to have about you during war time.

When you discover that his experience was in the gentleman's outfitting department of the Army and Navy Stores you would be right in thinking the opposite. However, Godfrey is full of surprises. Probably the oldest member of the platoon, Godfrey is a quiet and unassuming gentleman. Living in the quiet environment of Cherry Tree Cottage with his two sisters Cissy and Dolly, he spends most of his time tending the garden or visiting the clinic for his many complaints, the most noticeable being that of his weak bladder. He once revealed that he was a conscientious objector during the First War, and asked to leave the platoon which outraged Captain Mainwaring who could not believe it. It was shortly after this admission that Godfrey rescued Mainwaring from a smoke filled hut without regard for his own life. It was at this time that it was revealed that he had won the Military Medal for bravery during the Battle of the Somme, rescuing several wounded soldiers as a member of the Medical Corps. As Wilson remarked at the time, you can't go by appearances.

RETURN Private Frank Pike (played by Ian Lavender) By far the youngest member of the newly formed platoon at 17, Frank was too young to enlist in the services, but jumped at the change of belonging to the Home Guard, much to his mother's displeasure. For some reason this displeasure spread to Arthur Wilson, or Uncle Arthur, as Frank would usually address him. Frank regarded the Home Guard as an extension of the scouting movement, of which he was a keen member, and at times acted as if war was a bit of a game. This outlook changed when he eventually received his call up papers, but after it was discovered that he had a rare blood group, he was unable to fulfil his ambition to be a Spitfire pilot and become one of the 'second of the few'. Frank Pike usually ended up wet, or covered in mud during the platoons escapades, he was usually volunteered because he was the youngest, despite his protests about suffering from vertigo, croup or hay fever. List of Characters | Dad's Army Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit Mainwaring (pronounced Man-er-ing) was played by Arthur Lowe .

He was the pompous - if essentially brave and unerringly patriotic - local bank manager. In the series pilot Mainwaring appointed himself leader of his town's contingent of Local Defence Volunteers. Of the platoon , he and Joe Walker were the only adult members with no prior combat experience, and, therefore, had no medals - a fact which sometimes caused tension with the other members of the Home Guard . He did, however, serve in France, "during the whole of 1919—somebody had to clear up the mess." Although an ensemble piece, the series focused particularly upon Mainwaring, who has invested all his efforts into the platoon as a way of escaping from an unhappy marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of a Bishop, and a stalled career at the bank. Edit Wilson, played by John Le Mesurier , was a diffident, upper-class bank clerk, Wilson was nonetheless Mainwaring's inferior in the bank and on parade; his suave, understated social superiority, public school education and handsome looks led to a certain amount of jealousy on Mainwaring's part. During World War 1 he fought in the Royal Artillery at Mons, Gallipoli and the Somme.

In the last episode he revealed that he had been a Captain. Edit Jones was the oldest member of the platoon (born 1870), but was played by Clive Dunn , a younger actor. Jones was an old campaigner who had participated, as a boy soldier, in the campaign of Kitchener of Khartoum in the Sudan between 1896 and 1898, and also fought in World War 1. By 1940 he worked as the town butcher, which occasionally enabled him to supplement his superiors' meaty ration. Jones was leader of the platoon's first section. He has a story for every occasion, and will never hesitate in telling it, regardless of how long-winded or irrelevant it is. Despite being the oldest member of the platoon, Jones demonstrates an almost boyish enthusiasm for combat and is the first to volunteer for anything, no matter how ill-advised that may be.

In Battle of the Giants we learn Jones caught malaria whilst serving in Africa, he got over the main illness but sometimes (though not often) he gets malarial chills, he tells Mainwaring not to worry because he says "I've been getting these chills for 40 years". Jack Craig was David Croft's original first choice for the role, and David Jason, who later excelled at playing characters such as Blanco in "Porridge", was also linked to the role. Edit Walker was played by James Beck in the television series and seven episodes of the radio series, Graham Stark for five radio episodes with Larry Martyn for the remainder of the radio series. A Black Market "spiv"", Walker was the only fit, able-bodied man of military age in Walmington-on-Sea's home guard. His absence from the regular armed forces was due to a corned beef allergy, although it was implied that Walker had probably found a way to play the system. Mainwaring often turned a blind eye to his profiteering as he could sometimes supply the platoon (and Mainwaring) with useful items.

On more than one occasion, Walker's willingness to use underhand tactics allowed Mainwaring's platoon to triumph over rivals in the Home Guard, Army and ARP. He was disciplined several times by Captain Mainwaring for making jokes at inappropriate times. Though Beck was the second youngest regular cast member, he was the first to die. As a result, Walker was written out of the series after series 6. Edit The youngest platoon member - played by Ian Lavender - Pike, a cosseted mother's boy and often the target of Mainwaring's derision ("You stupid boy!"), was a junior bank clerk. He called Wilson "Uncle Arthur", and although never explicitly stated, it was often implied that Wilson and Pike's mother were having a relationship. It was also occasionally suggested that Wilson was Pike's father (although the writers only acknowledged this in interviews after the programme ended). He frequently threatens to set his mother on Mainwaring whenever he is shouted at or forced to do anything he doesn't want to do. He has the lowest position at Swallow bank, subordinate to both Wilson and Mainwaring. Edit Frazer was played by John Laurie .

The character was a dour Scottish coffin maker and a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy who fought at the Battle of Jutland although his main duty was cooking), Frazer was tight with money, had wild staring eyes, and was known for issuing regular pronouncements of doom. In the early episodes Frazer was the keeper of a philately shop, but by series four the writers had decided that he should become the local undertaker, in keeping with his gloomy nature. Openly eager for more power within the platoon, he sometimes led rebellions against Manwaring and was the only member of the platoon to be portrayed as a villain in episodes such as " A Soldier's Farewell " & " The Two and a Half Feathers ", though for the most part he was loyal and well-intentioned. Edit Played by Arnold Ridley , Godfrey, whilst not as old as Jones, was certainly the most frail member of the platoon, and as such was the platoon's medical orderly. He had served in World War One as a conscientious-objecting stretcher bearer, winning the Military Medal before becoming a tailor at the Army & Navel Stores.

Godfrey was an amiable, vague, lifelong bachelor who lived with his sisters in an idyllic cottage, and was a martyr to his weak bladder, leading to many requests to be "excused". He was very loyal to Captain Mainwaring, except on one occasion when he took part in a plot to make Mainwaring's feet hurt. Non-platoon characters Edit The Vicar ( Frank Williams ) was the vicar of St. Aldhelm’s Church. To help the war effort, he shares his church hall and office with Mainwaring's platoon, much to his dismay because he never gets to use it when he needs it. Edit Mr. Maurice Yeatman ( Edward Sinclair ) was the local verger and head of the Seas Scouts group. Yeatman was often hostile to the platoon. Labelled a "troublemaker" by Jones, he is ridiculously loyal to the vicar, and his good friend Mr. Hodges. Other Platoon members Edit In addition to the seven featured players, the platoon also included a "back row" of anonymous extras, who filled the platoon up to size while on parade or display.

The extras did not speak, but there were a handful of platoon members who had a secondary but significant role:- Edit Private Thomas Bracewell ( John Ringham ) was an upper-class buffoon who was set to be a major character in the series. Due to the overwhelming number of major characters that were introduced, it was decided that he was to be dropped. He only appears in first episode of the programme, and was mentioned in the second episode. Ringham also appeared in 2 episodes as Captain Bailey. Edit Private Cheeseman ( Talfryn Thomas ) - originally a Welsh journalist who appeared in one episode in series six, after the death of James Beck he joined the platoon for series seven. David Croft writes that the character was "irritating without being funny", although it is also reported that John Laurie (Frazer), the show's resident Scot, was strongly against the character. The writers decided that Cheeseman should not return for series eight and nine. A character called Charlie Cheeseman (played by Jimmy Perry ) appeared in the sixth episode, but he was unrelated. Edit Private George 'Nobby' Clarke ( John Cater ) - joined the platoon briefly when he tried to dig up dirt about Jones' history in the Sudan.

He was revealed to have had an affair with his commanding officer's wife, and when this was revealed in Jones' retelling of events, he fled Walmington never to return. Other members of the platoon mentioned by name throughout the series are: Agnew; Bailey; Cullen-Jones; Day; Desmond; Elgood; Hancock; Hardcastle; Hastings; Hope; Locke; Lovekin; Macey; Meadows; Wiper; Woods. Recurring characters Edit Mrs. Yeatman ( Olive Mercer ) (series 5,8) - Beryl Yeatman was the Verger's wife, referred to in one episode by her husband as Tracey. She ran the women's keep fit club, and captained the womens' netball team. In Everybody's Trucking , it was revealed she was having an affair with Mr. Blewitt. Edit Sidney Blewett ( Harold Bennett ) (series 3-9) - Mr Blewett was an elderly gentleman who recurred in a variety of roles, but always under the same name. During the series, he was seen as a photographer and the vicar's gardener, but often as a passer-by who became involved in the platoon's escapades. Edit Mrs.

Marcia Fox ( Pamela Cundell ) (series 2-9) - Corporal Jones's lady friend and finally wife. Described as a "flashy woman" by Captain Mainwaring, her first name in the episode " Mum's Army " is revealed as Marcia, although this changes to "Mildred" by the final episode. However, she is mostly referred to as Mrs. Fox. In the early episodes she mentions her husband, but by series four she is a widow and is seen about with several men of the town in addition to Jones. In one episode, " The Godiva Affair " , Jones fears he has lost her affections to Mr. Gordon, and, in " Everybody's Trucking ", Mrs Yeatman's discovery of the verger out for a spin on a motor-cycle with Mrs Fox provokes the revelation of her own liaison with Mr Blewitt. When, at Jones's prompting, Mainwaring raises the question of her apparently split affections between Jones and Gordon, Mrs Fox misunderstands his purpose and, to Mainwaring's horror, thinks that he is propositioning her himself.

Edit The Mayor of Walmington ( Fred McNaughton ) - Walmington's highest public official. His appearances usually involve playing the straight man to his excitable Town Clerk. Once when watching a 'keep-fit' display, he responds to Mr Gordon's remark of "that's very nice" with a straight-laced "Yes, if you like that sort of thing". He also takes part, in full ceremonial dress, in a thrilling train-chase in the episode " The Royal Train ". There are allusions to a habit of making long-winded speeches. Edit Shirley ( Wendy Richard ) (series 4-6) - Walker's recurring girlfriend appeared in 4 episodes, Shirley (although she is referred to as Edith Parish in " Mum's Army " and is credited the name of Edith Parish in her first appearance in the series 4 episode " The Two and a Half Feathers "), is a cinema usherette and was played up to be a bit of a 'tart'. In particular, she annoys Mainwaring by suggesting that he fancies her. Edit Dolly Godfrey ( Amy Dalby , later Joan Cooper ) Private Godfrey's younger sister. Renowned for the quality of her upside-down cakes & cucumber sandwiches.

Like Mrs Mainwaring she rarely appears, but is constantly referred to by her brother. Joan Cooper, Arthur Lowe's real-life wife, also played Dolly in the stage adaptation of Dad's Army. Edit Cissy Godfrey Private Godfrey's other sister appeared in one episode of series 2 and 3 episodes of series 3 (1969), played by Nan Braunton . Braunton reprised the role in two episodes of the radio series, in which Cissy was Private Godfrey's only sister. The role of Cissy was later taken over by Kathleen Saintsbury in an episode of the eighth television series, and by Joan Cooper (who had previously played Dolly Godfrey in the television series) in an episode of the third radio series. Edit Colonel Pritchard ( Robert Raglan ) (series 3-9) - The superior officer from whom Captain Mainwaring most frequently received his orders. A stern, serious man, he unexpectedly appeared to admire Mainwaring, frequently commenting on his successes and warning people not to underestimate him. Raglan also played Captain Square's sergeant in one episode.

Edit Captain Square ( Geoffrey Lumsden ) (all series) - commander of the Eastgate platoon of the Home Guard and rival of Captain Mainwaring. In early episodes he was "Corporal-Colonel Square", being a Corporal in the Home Guard and a former Colonel in the Army. In episode three, he almost replaces Mainwaring due to having weapons, but these turn out to be very out-of-date. In " A Brush with the Law ", Square is seen in his other capacity as a magistrate and almost has the chance to send Mainwaring to prison. Edit Captain Stewart ( Michael Knowles ) - A smarmy officer from the War Office who informs Mainwaring that his platoon have been picked for 'special duties' (which in fact means digging latrines and peeling potatoes). One of several similar characters portrayed in the series by Michael Knowles. Edit Captain Ramsey ( Fulton Mackey ) - A harsh but fair Scottish officer who runs a training course to test Home Guard units and assess whether they are 12-star material.

His attempts to make the weekend a serious test of the men are frustrated (largely by the idiocy of Lance-Corporal Jones and a stray consignment of onions) and he quickly becomes exasperated. Ramsey's favourite catchphrase appears to be "you haven't done very well", which is quickly amended when Mainwaring and his men pull off "the best bit of initiative I've seen in this whole war" for which he awards them the coveted 12-stars. Fulton MacKay's character seemed to have come straight out of his Mr Mackey personae in Porridge (Fulton Mackay also appeared as a doctor in the episode " The Miser's Hoard " Edit U-Boat Captain ( Philip Madoc ) - Commander of the crew of a captured U-Boat , brings Mainwaring face to face with the Nazi enemy in " The Deadly Attachment ". A supercilious brute who is making a list of Britons who offend him to be brought to account "when we have won the war" which unsurprisingly get Mainwaring's gander up. He is also cunning, as when he tricks his captors by feigning illness.

He presents Mainwaring with one of the platoon's most dangerous and deadly situations in the entire war, when he takes the entire platoon prisoner and plans to take them back to France with him, only to be foiled in the nick of time. Edit General Monteverdi ( Edward Evans ) -The senior Italian officer in a POW camp who tries to defend the scruffiness and general laziness of the Italian detainees. Serving in North Africa he was captured, apparently, because he refused to fight against the English. Mainwaring clearly does not think much of him. It is revealed that Monteverdi is complicit in Walker’s scheme to smuggle prisoners out at nights to work for him. Edit Mrs. Prentice ( Brenda Cowling ) - An old friend of Godfrey, now in possession of her late husband's farm which needs harvesting. Mainwaring volunteers the platoon's services. In gratitude she organises supper and potato wine for the platoon which leads to some high spirits. A widow, having spurned him to marry a farmer, Godfrey hints at a more intimate moment when he tells her he hasn't touched potato wine "since that night".

Edit Captain Rodrigues ( Alan Tilvern ) - A Spanish Civil War veteran who is only interested in 'killing Nazis'. He dislikes the platoon of 'amateurs' and thinks Mainwaring should go back to running a bank. He is portrayed as a vicious, unpleasant character. He appears closer to a bandit than a Captain in the British army. Edit Violet Gibbons ( Sally Douglas ) - An ATS girl to whom Pike is briefly engaged, much to Mainwaring's disapproval. She had previously worked at Woolworths, a Fish and Chip Shop and for a while dated Private Walker. She appears at the platoon dance, where Pike announces their engagement. Looking bored and chewing gum she does not entirely appear to return Pike's unquestioning adoration and, much to everyone's relief, the engagement is quickly broken off. Edit E.C. Egan ( Fred Trueman )- A professional fast-bowler recruited by Hodges as an ARP Warden in an underhand attempt to win the friendly cricket match between the Wardens and the Home Guard. Egan reckons he can skittle Mainwaring's men out in about four overs. However he badly injures his shoulder after his first delivery and has to leave the field.

In his absence, the Home Guard go on to win the match due to Hodges declaring early. In reality, Trueman played many matches for England. Edit Patrick Regan ( J.G. Devlin ) - A suspected member of the Irish Republican Army, the platoon are ordered to arrest him, but only a few are available. Trouble comes when his 'associates' come looking for him, leading to a brawl. Fortunately Wilson proves to be handy with his fists. Edit Police Constable Arthur English - a Walmington police constable deputed to arrest Regan. He came alone, as the rest of his station were busy playing a darts match with the Free French. He warns that Regan may be an "ugly customer", but Mainwaring ignores his advice. Edit General Menzies ( Campbell Singer ) - Local commander. Visiting the platoon while Fraser is in temporary command in the episode If the Cap Fits... he mistakes him for Mainwaring. He invites his fellow Scot to a dress dinner to pipe in the haggis. Fraser hopes this will embarrass the English Mainwaring, but to everyone's shock Mainwaring had learned the bagpipes on his honeymoon, foiling Fraser's scheme.

Edit Mr Palethorpe ( Jack Haig )- Landlord of the Six Bells just outside Walmington. When the platoon, dressed as Nazis for the production of a film, enter the bar and demand to be served he is convinced the balloon has gone up and triggers an invasion alert.

Question: Who played Private Joe Walker in Dad’s Army?
Answer: James Beck