Sitcom's silent stars speak

Dozens of ordinary people who played non-speaking extras in Dad’s Army have finally been given a voice.

The residents of Thetford in Norfolk have recorded a documentary recounting their experience in the beloved sitcom, which was filmed there between 1968 and 1977.

They were often drafted in as background figures, although Equity union rules meant they could never utter a word. But now, an £8,000 lottery grant has enabled them to record their experiences on film

Keith Eldred, whose cottage regularly featured in the show, was chairman of the local amateur dramatic society and often asked to round up a few extras.

In the film, he recalls: ‘When they decided to have extras, writer David Croft asked me to find a few, so I did. Depending on what he wanted, I would get people to take the roles, whether it was for parades or whatever. Eventually we were paid, which made me even more popular.

‘We threw a party for the cast once. John Le Mesurier was banging away on our piano and said it was out of tune. But after we gave him another gin and tonic he reckoned it was fine.

‘James Beck, who played Private Joe Walker in the first series died in 1973, was chatting up all the young girls; Clive Dunn had a rather cracking wife who used to insist on sunbathing in bikinis - it was great fun.

‘They were great times and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Everyone got on so well.’

The 20-minute film, called Dad's Army - Extra Time, is currently being shown in Thetford library as part of an exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The area was chosen by the BBC producers because it was near an Army training ground was nearby, it had enough hotels for crew and stars, and its grey brick walls and flint buildings gave the right period setting.

Tony Pritchard, of the Dad's Army Appreciation Society, said: ‘This exhibition will show how people in Thetford became involved in one of the most successful television shows in television history.’

Published: 2 Jan 2006