Last of The Summer Wine (series 7) - Christmas Special 1983

Christmas Special 1983

Title Airdate Description Notes
Getting Sam Home 27 December 1983 The lads visit Sam in hospital, and agree to his request that he wants to spend one last night with his 'other woman', Lilly Bless'er. Unfortunately, while at Lily's, Sam passes away. It's up to Foggy, Compo and Clegg to get him back home in such a way that his wife Sybil thinks he died in his own bed.
  • This was a 90 minute special, a film made for television.
  • This episode made television comedy history due to being the first comedy show on British TV to be longer than 60 mins. Shows such as Only Fools and Horses would later follow suit.
  • This was the first episode to have no laughter track.
  • Based upon Roy Clarke's Last of the Summer Wine Novel.
  • The title 'Getting Sam Home' is not given onscreen, but is used in all reference books and television listings.
  • This episode sadly marked the last and final appearance of Sid. John Comer's voice was affected by illness, and so his lines were dubbed over by another actor, Tony Melody. Comer died 6 weeks after the broadcast.
  • This is the second occasion when the title music, with added lyrics, was sung by a choir.
  • This Episode even marked the First appearance of Ken Kitson playing a policeman.
  • Norris Fairburn played by David Williams appears in this episode, then reprises his role in "Will Stella Find True Love with Norris Fairburn?" in the 2009 Last of the Summer Wine (series 30), 26 years later.
  • Included on the Series 7 & 8 boxset.

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