Paul Merton introduces three hours of special programming to mark the 50th anniversary of the first airing of the very first edition of Hancock's Half-Hour, the landmark radio comedy featuring Tony Hancock with regulars Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr and Kenneth Williams. The series ran for five hit years; a TV version with the same title followed in 1956. Scriptwriters Ray Galton and Alan Simpson comment on the show's first ever episode, which follows. Producer John Pidgeon
7.08 First Night Party
Originally broadcast on 2 November 1954 at 9.30pm on the BBC Light Programme.
7.41 Stone Me, What a Life!
Dennis Norden recalls Tony Hancock 's early variety and broadcasting career, including the weak, if not terrible, bits.
8.31 The Wild Man of the Woods
A fourth-series episode, first transmitted on 27 January 1957.
9.03 The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half-Hour
Paul Merton interviews the show's creators, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. With classic clips and gems from the archive.
9.48 Hancock's Fans and Round-up
The celebrations wind down with tributes from the show's contributors and fans, including Raymond Baxter, Fenella Fielding, Andree Melly, Warren Mitchell and Nicholas Parsons.
Freddie and the dreamer: p31