BBC's horror at Good Life scene

The Good Life might have a reputation for being a wholesome suburban sitcom - but it did almost fall foul of BBC bigwigs who feared upsetting their audience.

Star Felicity Kendal has revealed that executives tried to veto a scene in which she and Penelope Keith, as Barbara and Margot, got drunk - as it was unbecoming behaviour for women.

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show tonight, the actress, now 74, says: ‘I love acting pissed and we thought it would be very funny if we became as drunk as Jerry and Tom.

‘But the head of the BBC said Barbara and Margot can’t get drunk because they are so loved by the audience.  

‘We fought really hard to do it and eventually we did that scene.  It’s interesting to see how far we’ve come – now everyone is pissed!’

The Good Life ran for four series from 1975 to 1978, but Kendal was primarily on the show to plug her forthcoming role in the West End musical Anything Goes, which she describes as ‘a comic Titanic that doesn’t sink’.

Asked about her singing and dancing skills, she said: ‘I can’t sing but there is always hope.  It’ll be fine or I’ll get fired!’

• The Graham Norton Show in on BBC One at 10.45pm tonight, then on iPlayer

Published: 5 Feb 2021