The Racehorse

Another recreation of a missing episode of series 2 of Hancock's Half Hour.

Also missing from the original show was The Lad Himself, as Tony Hancock had absconded to Rome.

The Goon Show's Harry Secombe replaced him for three episodes. In this recreation, Harry is portrayed by his son Andy Secombe.

Harry Secombe has 10 bob left so Bill decides to spend it on a racehorse.

The fact that it only has three legs doesn't deter Sid from entering it in the Britannia Steeplechase...

(For younger listeners - 10 bob or shillings is 50 British pence!)

Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Harry Secombe …. Andy Secombe
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly …. Susy Kane

The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.

20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives, but all missing episodes have now been lovingly re-recreated in the BBC Radio Theatre.

The classic Hancock score newly recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.

Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson

The original version was broadcast on the 3rd May, 1955.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2017.