Dad's Army News

U-Boat Captain Finds The Real Dad's Army in Wales!

19th May 2002

Actor Philip Madoc finds out what life was really like for the Home Guard in the war in the third episode of 'The Real Dad's Army' (HTV Wales only) on Tuesday, May 21 at 7.30 p.m.

Philip, who created a classic comedy role as a German U-boat commander in the 1973 Dad's Army episode 'The Deadly Attachment', manages to get hold of a genuine Home Guard training manual from World War Two.

He does his best to put the official instructions into practice - but finds them far from easy. His efforts serve to increase considerably his admiration for those doughty defenders of Britain.

BBC Spoken Word Plans CD Releases

19th May 2002 - EXCLUSIVE!!

BBC Spoken Word have plans to release a Dad's Army CD set of Series 1 in summer next year confirmed BBC Spoken Word's Charlotte Lochead to www.dadsarmy.tv this week.

"We are trying to put as many of our backlist titles onto CD, and may well release our more popular titles in CD format throughout the coming years, as long as they continue to sell."

Charlotte also confirmed that prior to the CD's release a second volume of cassettes - Dad's Army Collection Volume 2 are due to be published in November 2002. These will comprise vols 4, 5 and 6 of the existing audio cassettes. Some fan's may already have noticed an set in their local bookshop's featuring the first three volumes.

More News on the CD Releases as I get It!

Pat Coombs 1926 - 2002

27th May 2002

Comedy actress Pat Coombs has died at the age of 75.

Born on 27th August 1926, Pat came to the British public's attention on radio in the 1950's Hello Playmates as Nola (alongside Irene Handl) , but later became well known for many comedy appearances in Carry On films and appearances in the movie adaptations of Dad's Army and On The Buses.

Pat, who never married, appeared in the popular 1970's Sit-com You're Only Young Twice opposite Peggy Mount and made countless appearances alongside Reg Varney and Dick Emery. In recent years she was Marge Green in EastEnders.

She died after complications from emphysema at Denville Hall in Northwood, West London, which is run by The Actors' Charitable Trust.

During her long career, Pat made two memorable contributions to Dad's Army. In 1970, she played Mrs Hall in the Dad's Army movie and later in 1975, played the dual part of Marie / the Clippie in the radio adaptation of "A Soldiers Farewell".

Her agent Barry Burnett said: "She was still working and had only just completed a radio role alongside June Whitfield in Like They've Never Been Gone for Radio 4."

Compiled by Andy Howells