Eric Sykes 'sad' about BBC drama

Eric Sykes has criticised the BBC for ‘raking over’ the love life of his late co-star Hattie Jacques.

The 87-year-old says BBC4’s forthcoming drama Hattie, starring Gavin & Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones, doesn’t tally with his fond memories of his friend.

The show focuses on how Jacques cheated on her husband, Dad’s Army star John Le Mesurier, with driver John Schofield while she was filming Carry On Cabby, leading to a long-term affair.

But Sykes – who is currently writing his ninth book – told the Mature Times: ‘It’s very sad that parts of her life are being raked over, but I never saw her like that.

‘Hattie was just wonderful – she’d read out the script in rehearsal and know her next line without turning the page as if she was telepathic,

‘Hat wasn’t a small lady but her size was never mentioned in our scripts. She trained as a ballet dancer and was incredibly agile. When she was well over 40 she’d jump up and do the splits.’

But Jones has said: ‘I really wanted to do Hattie justice. I think from the script to screen everything has been done with the greatest respect to her.’

The programme, based on Andrew Merriman’s authorised biography, will be screened on January 19. Hattie died in 1980 aged 58.

Published: 8 Jan 2011