I noticed throughout the series, certain characters seemed to mysteriously just disappear from the show. Mr Lucas, Mr. Grainger, Mr Mash (always kinda liked him), "Young" Mr Grace (I'd just assumed he died), and maybe a couple more I missed. Does anyone know their story of why they left?
shareTrevor Bannister (Mr Lucas) left because he had already agreed to star in a theatre tour of Middle Aged Spread which clashed with the AYBS? filming dates.
Larry Martyn (Mr Mash) couldn't do more AYBS? because he had already signed to star in another sitcom for ITV (Spring and Autumn).
Harold Bennett (Young Mr Grace) died in September 1981. He last appeared in that year's Xmas special, broadcast posthumously.
Arthur Brough (Mr Grainger) died in 1978, just before the sixth series.
James Hayter (Mr Tebbs) also voiced the commercials for Mr Kipling's cakes but they didn't like him playing such a pompous character. He had a choice - stick with the commercials for a large sum of money, or play Mr Tebbs.
Don't know why Alfie Bass and the other "seniors" left. To be honest, I don't know why they didn't just promote Mr Humphries, instead of bringing in all these replacements.
Hope that helps!
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Appreciate the rundown. Mr. Kipling's cakes thought Mr. Tebbs was bad for their image? Hypocrites. If they'd have had their cakes served at one of the after work think tank sessions (with cocoa), I'll bet they'd have no objection!
shareMr. Kipling's cakes thought Mr. Tebbs was bad for their image? Hypocrites. If they'd have had their cakes served at one of the after work think tank sessions (with cocoa), I'll bet they'd have no objection!The BBC would not legally be able to do that.
they had Caars Water Biscets proudly on display at the meeting table in one episode
sharethey had Caars Water Biscets proudly on display at the meeting table in one episode
shareThey could have served them without mentioning the brand.
shareThey could have served them without mentioning the brand.
shareAppreciate the rundown. Mr. Kipling's cakes thought Mr. Tebbs was bad for their image? Hypocrites. If they'd have had their cakes served at one of the after work think tank sessions (with cocoa), I'll bet they'd have no objection!
Grace Brothers gave the senior job to Mr Humohries but he gave it up in the same episode.
shareThat never made total sense to me, though, about Bannister. It'd have seemed likely that he could have rejoined the show after his theatre tour, had he wanted to do so.
I've read that there was some dissatisfaction on his part with the show, chiefly due to the fact that AYBS had originally been designed as a vehicle showcasing Bannister and mainly revolving around the Lucas character. As the show gained in popularity, he became less the focus, and John Inman's Humphries became sort of the 'breakout' star.
There was never any friction between Bannister and Inman, apparently--they were supposed to have remained good friends after Bannister left the series--but I think he might have been something less that happy with the way his character was sort of 'second-banana-ed', and could explain why he never returned, even when he might very well have had the opportunity to do so.
I found some info in Are You Being Served? The Inside Story of Britain's Funniest—and Public Television's Favorite—Comedy Series (KQED Books & Tapes, 1995).
Trevor Bannister was originally attracted to the part of Mr. Lucas because when he read the script for the pilot episode, he thought "Mr. Lucas seemed very much the main character. In the early episodes … everything revolved around Lucas—he was the one who was always getting into trouble." When Bannister accepted a role in the play Middle-Age Spread a few years later, the play's producers tried to arrange its schedule so that Bannister could still film AYBS on Sundays. But then the AYBS filming day was changed to Friday, and Bannister knew he couldn't appear in both, so he chose the play. He was OK with leaving AYBS because he felt it "was beginning to repeat itself—the same jokes were cropping up again. I thought there was a danger that it might outstay its welcome."
Show creator Jeremy Lloyd said, "We had a slight problem finding a role for [Bannister] because, although he was the new assistant, the youngest assistant, he clearly wasn't that young a man. But he was such a good actor that we wanted him and therefore he did have a large role [initially]. But gradually John Inman became a stronger and stronger character, and Mr. Lucas, to a certain extent, diminished." Originally Mr. Humphries "was just the kindly mentor for Mr. Lucas. … But every time he spoke, or just walked across the set, he got such a laugh that he was obviously written up more."
It was never the same without Mr. Grainger.
ROCK STARS HAVE KIDNAPPED MY SON
There was never any friction between Trevor Bannister and the other cast members. He had signed to star in a play that was to tour for several months. AYBS? was eight weeks work a year. The play offered more financial security.
Also, he had asked the BBC if they could change the recording day for AYBS? so he could do both but they refused.
As for returning after the tour, they had already hired Mike Berry to play Mr Spooner. They couldn't just kick him out because Bannister was available again.
The only one that was explained (shown actually) was the transition from Young Mr Grace to Old Mr Grace in Series 8 Episode 1, as he was retiring.
I was most sad when Penny Irving left at the end of Series 7.
"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."
Does anyone know why Alfie Bass left? I thought Mr. Goldman and Captain Peacock had some unfinished, unplayed jokes. I would have thoroughly enjoyed watching more of their banter. There was another one who was selling shoes, Mr. Grossman? The one with the accent? What happened to him?
shareSomeone said Alfie Bass wanted a bigger part in the show but the writers refused, so he left. I've no idea why Milo Sperber left after just a few episodes, or Benny Lee.
shareAccording to David Croft, Milo Sperber wasn't very happy with the scripts - and you can see why, he barely has a line or appears in the episodes at all. Benny Lee I think they just weren't interested in bringing back. They were happy to keep the Spooner/Humphries combination but I think the show suffered without the department head.
shareAccording to show creator Jeremy Lloyd, Alfie Bass wanted his role to be bigger, but the producers felt they couldn't make that happen, so he left.
shareI read that, after the death of Arthur Brough's (Mr. Grainger) wife in the spring of 1978, Brough decided to retire from acting. He died a short time later.
Harold Bennett (Young Mr. Grace) filmed two episodes for the 1981 season before deciding to take a break from the show, with hopes of returning eventually. But he died in September 1981.