Are You Being Served?: Eight classic soundtracks from the original BBC TV series
Eight vintage TV soundtracks from the long-running BBC sitcom set in a fictional London department store
Are You Being Served? was a comedy juggernaut, running for 10 series between 1973 and 1985 and often attracting audiences of over 20 million. A family favourite, it was a fun-packed mix of double entendres, slapstick and larger-than-life characters – including cat-loving Mrs Slocombe and camp menswear assistant Mr Humphries, with his famous catchphrase, ‘I’m free’!
In these eight innuendo-filled episodes, the staff of Grace Brothers are embroiled in sundry side-splitting schemes, from spending the night in tents on the shop floor to organising birthday celebrations for Mr Grainger and Young Mr Grace, and trying to learn new sales techniques to charm the customers. Mishaps and misunderstandings abound when Mr Goldberg establishes his own recruitment agency; a photo of Mr Humphries’ mother sparks some wild speculation; Mr Grainger wins the pools and decides to retire; and Young Mr Grace hints that he’s going to propose to Mrs Slocombe...
Written by legendary comedy writing partners Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, these laugh-out-loud shows feature a brilliant ensemble cast including Frank Thornton, Mollie Sugden, Trevor Bannister, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Arthur Brough, Nicholas Smith and Harold Bennett.
Disclaimer: some episodes may contain dated attitudes and language.
Production credits
Written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft
Produced by David Croft
‘Our Figures are Slipping’ directed by Bernard Thompson
Theme tune by David Croft and Ronnie Hazlehurst
First broadcast on BBC1 on the following dates:
Our Figures are Slipping 28 March 1973 (Series 1, episode 2)
Camping In 4 April 1973 (Series 1, episode 3)
The Clock 14 March 1974 (Series 2, episode 1)
Wedding Bells 4 March 1975 (Series 3, episode 5)
Founder’s Day 11 March 1977 (Series 5, episode 3)
Goodbye Mr Grainger 4 April 1977 (Series 5, episode 6)
The Agent 30 November 1979 (Series 7, episode 8)
Heir Apparent 5 July 1981 (Series 8, episode 5)
Cast
Captain Stephen Peacock – Frank Thornton
Mrs Betty Slocombe – Mollie Sugden
Mr Dick Lucas – Trevor Bannister
Mr Wilberforce Clayborne/Mr Humphries – John Inman
Miss Shirley Brahms – Wendy Richard
Mr Ernest Grainger – Arthur Brough
Mr Cuthbert Rumbold – Nicholas Smith
Young Mr Grace – Harold Bennett
Mr Mash – Larry Martyn
Mrs Grainger – Pearl Hackney
Miss Robinson – Sandra Clark
Mr Goldberg – Alfie Bass
Mr Harman – Arthur English
Mr Grace’s secretary/Miss Bakewell – Penny Irving
Mr Grace’s nurse – Vivienne Johnson
Mr Grossman – Milo Sperber
Mr Spooner – Mike Berry
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
David Croft, Jeremy Lloyd (Author), Arthur Brough, Frank Thornton, Full Cast, Harold Bennett, John Inman, Mollie Sugden, Nicholas Smith, Trevor Bannister, Wendy Richard (Narrator)
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