''Sorry!'' is a

BBC television BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1 January 1927. It p ...

sitcom A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...

that aired on

BBC1 BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and Flagship (broadcasting), flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includ ...

from 12 March 1981 to 10 October 1988. It starred

Ronnie Corbett Ronald Balfour Corbett (4 December 1930 – 31 March 2016) was a Scottish actor, broadcaster, comedian and writer. He had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the BBC television comedy sketch show ''The Two Ronnies''. He achieved promine ...

and was created and written by Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent, both of whom had previously written for Corbett on ''

The Two Ronnies ''The Two Ronnies'' is a British television comedy sketch show starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. It was created by Bill Cotton and aired on BBC1 from 10 April 1971 to 25 December 1987. The usual format included sketches, solo se ...

''. The theme music was composed by Gaynor Colbourn and Hugh Wisdom, arranged by Gaynor Colbourn and conducted by

Ronnie Hazlehurst Ronald Hazlehurst (13 March 1928 – 1 October 2007) was an English composer and conductor who, having joined the BBC in 1961, became its Light Entertainment Musical Director. Hazlehurst composed the theme tunes for many well-known British ...

Plot

''Sorry!'' is centred on Timothy Lumsden who, 41 years old in the first three series (his age increased to 42 and then 48 in subsequent series - Corbett was actually 50-57 during the series' run), is a librarian who still lives at home with his domineering mother Phyllis and henpecked father Sidney. Although quite shy around women, Timothy longs to find love and leave home, but Phyllis is always against the idea and constantly manipulates her son into staying at home. One of the catchphrases of the series is Sidney's "Language, Timothy!", typically said in response to something that has been misunderstood as inappropriate or offensive. Timothy usually responds "Sorry, Father", but sometimes snaps "Shut up, Father!", to which Sidney replies "fair enough". Timothy's friend Frank and sister Muriel urge Timothy to stand up to his mother once and for all. Muriel had successfully left home and married Kevin, and so is viewed with distrust by her mother.

Cast

as Timothy Lumsden, a middle-aged man still living with his parents and who longs to move out * Barbara Lott as Phyllis Lumsden, Timothy and Muriel's selfish, overbearing mother. Lott was only ten years older than Ronnie Corbett. * William Moore as Sidney Lumsden, Timothy and Muriel's eccentric father who is often himself bullied by Phyllis * Marguerite Hardiman as Muriel, Timothy's more assertive younger sister * Derek Fuke as Kevin, Muriel's husband *

Roy Holder Roy Trevor Holder (15 June 1946 – 9 November 2021) was an English film and television actor who appeared in various programmes including '' Ace of Wands'', ''Z-Cars'', '' Spearhead'', the ''Doctor Who'' serial '' The Caves of Androzani''. His ...

as Frank Baker, Timothy's best friend who urges Timothy to stand up to his mother * Wendy Allnutt as Annette ''(series 1 ep. 1)'', and Jennifer ''(series 6)'' * Bridget Brice as Pippa ''(series 7)'' * Jennie Franks as Jean * Mavis Pugh as Mrs Barrable, Phyllis's close friend who sometimes aids her in her schemes to sabotage Timothy's social life * Sheila Fearn as Freddie *

John Leeson John Francis Christopher Ducker (born 16 March 1943), known professionally as John Leeson, is an English actor. He is known for portraying Bungle in ''Rainbow'' and voicing K9 in ''Doctor Who'' and spin-offs '' The Sarah Jane Adventures'' a ...

as Victor *

Michael Redfern Michael Ian Redfern (30 March 1943 – 29 July 2022) was an English actor, known for his appearances on television and stage. Early years Redfern was born on 30 March 1943 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. Career Redfern is perhaps best kno ...

as Denny *

Teddy Green Teddy Green is an English actor, choreographer, and dancer probably best known for playing supporting roles in two Cliff Richard films, '' The Young Ones'' and ''Summer Holiday''. Career His film roles include Chris in The Young Ones with Cli ...

as Denzil

Episodes

Series 1 (1981)

Series 2 (1982)

Series 3 (1982)

Christmas sketch (1982)

Series 4 (1985)

Series 5 (1986)

Series 6 (1987)

Series 7 (1988)

DVD releases

The first two series of ''Sorry!'' were released on DVD under Playback Entertainment (Region 2, UK) in 2004. The DVD was put out of print in 2006, but the first series was re-released on DVD in 2007 under 2entertain & BBC Worldwide. It includes three audio commentaries by Ronnie Corbett. The second series was re-released in March 2008. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth series were released (for the very first time) on 2 August 2010 and 21 February 20 June and 26 September 2011. The seventh (and final) series was released on 4 June 2012 along with the complete set of 7 DVDs. In region 4, the first four series have been released.

References

Mark Lewisohn Mark Lewisohn (born 16 June 1958) is an English historian and biographer. Since the 1980s, he has written many reference books about the Beatles and has worked for EMI, MPL Communications and Apple Corps.

, ''Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy'', BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003
British TV Comedy Guide for ''Sorry!''

External links

* * * *
British Comedy Guide - Ronnie Corbett in Sorry!
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sorry 1980s British sitcoms 1981 British television series debuts 1988 British television series endings 1980s British black comedy television series BBC television sitcoms British English-language television shows Television series about dysfunctional families