Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

The Red Planet

The Missing HancocksSeries 2
Episode 2 of 5

The lad takes up astronomy, and spots something terrible among the stars. Stars Kevin McNally. 1955 episode re-recorded in 2015.

A recreation of the missing episode 7 of series 3 of Hancock's Half Hour.

The Lad takes up astronomy, and discovers something terrible among the stars.

Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

The Lad Himself …. Kevin McNally
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Sid James …. Simon Greenall
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly …. Susy Kane

The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.

But 20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives. All missing episodes have now been lovingly re-recreated in the BBC Radio Theatre.

Classic Hancock score re-recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.

Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson

The lost original recording was last broadcast in November 1955.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.

30 minutes

On radio

Wed 21 Oct 202607:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

Previous

How Hancock Won the WarSeries 2

Next

The Marriage BureauSeries 2

See all episodes from The Missing Hancocks

Credits

Tony HancockKevin McNally
Bill KerrKevin Eldon
Sid JamesSimon Greenall
Kenneth WilliamsRobin Sebastian
Andree MellySusy Kane
WriterRay Galton
WriterAlan Simpson
ProducerEd Morrish
ProducerNeil Pearson

Broadcasts

  • Mon 30 Nov 201511:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 17 Jun 201618:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Thu 3 Sep 202007:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 3 Sep 202017:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 4 Sep 202005:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 12 Oct 202208:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 12 Oct 202212:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 12 Oct 202219:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Dec 202407:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Dec 202412:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Dec 202418:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 12 Dec 202402:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 21 Oct 202607:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 21 Oct 202612:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 21 Oct 202618:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 22 Oct 202602:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

Classic Hancock Clips

Classic Hancock Clips

A selection of memorable moments from the surviving episodes of Hancock's Half Hour.