Post-war comedy drama with Britain’s most popular family

Rediscover the most popular family in Britain! The Huggetts dominated the airwaves in the 1950s. For nearly a decade their family capers entertained listeners with the trials and tribulations of everyday life in post-war Britain. An unashamedly working-class family, the Huggetts epitomise the spirit of a united nation relishing simple pleasures with a cheery, down-to-earth smile.

Only seven of these era-defining episodes have survived in the archive, and they are now available together for the first time. This light-hearted, feel-good comedy is as fresh and funny as it was when it was first broadcast. Listen now and laugh along with a family from a bygone era and enjoy this piece of wonderful radio history.

In episode one, ‘All at Sea’ has Joe and Ethel in a mess over money when a factory outing looms. Chaos reigns in ‘No Fear’ when young Bobby Huggetts sets out to play the hero. ‘Loser Pays’ has Joe and Fred attempting to teach their wives a lesson, but it backfires. The family are baffled by a mystery letter that arrives from America in ‘Transatlantic Tangle’. A summer heat wave has the family suffering in ‘What Unusual Wallpaper’ and in ‘Clean Linen’ there is a mix-up at the launderette sparking a whole pile of embarrassment for the Huggetts. Finally, in ‘'Ail and Hearty’ Dad Joe is spotted calling in at the doctor's surgery. Should the family be worried?

Enjoy these seven lost episodes, available to download now.

Due to the age of these recordings, the sound quality may vary.

Written by Eddie Maguire
Produced by Jacques Brown and Peter Eton
Cast
Joe - Jack Warner
Ethel - Kathleen Harrison
Jane - Marion Collins / Alanna Boyce
Bobby - George Howell / James Langley / Malcolm Ranson
Fred Stebbings - Charles Leno
Mrs Stebbings - Beatrice Varley
Mr Campbell/Charlie/Insurance Salesman - Kenneth Connor
Clara - Molly Lumley
Mamie Webb - Patricia Hayes
Detective - Alan Keith
with Bill Pertwee and Ralph Hallett

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, August 1954 - June 1961