A profile of the much-loved character comedy actor, John le Mesurier. In 1983 the Daily Telegraph obituary column printed this cryptic notice:

'John Le Mesurier wishes it to be known that he conked out on November 16th. He sadly misses family and friends.'

Although he appeared in countless films and television comedies with such performers as Tony Hancock and Sid James, John Le Mesurier will forever be remembered as the self-deprecating Sergeant Wilson in Dad's Army and he shared many real-life characteristics with Jimmy Perry and David Croft's creation. It's all the more surprising that he was originally down to play the part of Captain Mainwaring!

MUSIC & FACTUAL

Broadcast on Radio 4 in August 2005