Roy Kinnear and Patsy Rowland

Inside George Webley

1968 - United Kingdom

The late great Roy Kinnear starred as George Meredith Webley, in this Yorkshire Television produced sitcom about a bank clerk who was guaranteed to add the word pooper to party and crushing to bore. 

George worked for the aptly named Meanside and Beestley Savings Bank in Leeds and in his spare time (actually in his work time, too) thought it his duty to bore everyone rigid, including his long-suffering wife, Rosemary (Patsy Rowlands), with trivia, perpetually worrying about everything in the world and complaining that he had suffered every illness known to man. George was the eternal pessimist and approached life with the attitude that if something was going to go wrong - it would! 

The series was the first of several collaborations between Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall, which included a TV adaptation of the latter's solo novel 'Billy Liar' (Billy), Diana Dors' sitcom Queenie's Castle and an adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd's eternal scarecrow stories featuring Worzel Gummidge (as played by Jon Pertwee). It was also notable for including something of a who's who of British character actors and comedians such as James Bolam, Peter Butterworth, Les Dawson, Clive Dunn, Hattie Jacques, Roy Hudd, Dandy Nichols, Graham Stark and Max Wall. 

Published on December 23rd, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Roy Kinnear

Roy Kinnear's remarkable career ensured that he remained at the top of his profession for nearly 30 years, earning him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim

Also starring Roy Kinnear

George and Mildred

Domestic sitcom about a work-shy husband and his sex-starved, upwardly aspiring but ultimately frustrated wife.

Also tagged Roy Kinnear

And Mother Makes Three

Almost a direct follow on from the BBC's hugely popular Not In Front Of The Children starring Wendy Craig who was in an almost constant state of domestic discord...

Also tagged Britcom

Arabian Knights

Animated series of stories set round the ancient city of Baghdad which is under the rule of the evil Sultan Bakaar, who has usurped the throne from the rightful inheritance of the young Prince Turham

Also released in 1968

After a near-fatal plane crash, three secret agents are endowed with extra sensory powers in this cult classic from the ITC production stable

Also released in 1968

Kindly Leave the Kerb

A failed sitcom - three times over. Despite the sublime talents of Ronnie Barker, Richard O'Sullivan, Peter Jones, Peter Butterworth, Brian Murphy and Roy Kinnear, no one could raise a laugh from this dreary comedy concept

Also starring Roy Kinnear

Billy Liar

Adapted from the highly successful novel/play/film by successful writing team Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall, this version of Billy Liar was updated by them to make it more relevant to the early 1970s.

Also tagged Britcom

The Five Foot Nine Show

A one-off comedy show that reunited two of the regulars from That Was The Week That Was.

Also tagged Roy Kinnear