The Bed-Sit Girl 1965

The Bed-Sit Girl

1965 - United Kingdom

Another sitcom from the prolific two Ron's writing team of Chesney and Wolfe, The Bed-Sit Girl was written as a starring vehicle for Sheila Hancock, who had become a household name in the duo's earlier smash hit comedy, The Rag Trade.

Sheila Hancock

Sheila plays a secretary, an ingenious, kind-hearted but disorganised creature who is always aiming at sophisticated self-possession but usually achieves only a comical, embarrassed muddle with a steady stream of failed romances and frustrated failures, even though she will never give up her dreams of a more glamorous and fulfilling existence.

The Bed-Sit Girl

She would gladly swap places with her glamourous friend and neighbour Dilys (occasional Carry On star - Dilys Laye) and attempts to associate herself with what she considers the 'jet set'. But the two girls have as diverse personalities as they have jobs. Dilys is a much cooler and sharper customer who does actually work in the 'jet set' - well, she works as an air hostess and that's as 'jet set' as you can get.

Hy Hazell

When the series returned for a second outing Dilys had jetted off permanently and Sheila had by now befriended the worldly-wise Liz (Hy Hazell) who recommends compiling a list of the good and bad points of the new occupant of Dily's flat. David (Derek Nimmo) is a twenty-eight year-old eligible bachelor. But during an encounter at a laundromat, the possibility of a romance almost ends when he stumbles across her written-down assessment of his assets and liabilities.

The Bed-Sit Girl

For Sheila, not much changed between the first and second series. Still the same as ever, dreaming of being swept off her feet in a wild romance (preferably by a playboy) but going from job to job and always ending up in the typing pool where she can't read her own shorthand and sometimes struggles to read back what she has typed.

Described by the scriptwriters as 'More Brief Encounter' than 'Up the Junction', we are unable to assess the quality of this series because sadly, all twelve episodes are lost.

Published on April 16th, 2023. Written by Malcolm Alexander for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Entertaining Mr Sloane

A handsome, sexy and completely amoral young man, joins Kath's household as a lodger and proceeds to manipulate her and her brother. Joe Orton's play made its television debut almost a year after the author was bludgeoned to death by his partner.

Also starring Sheila Hancock

Carry On Cleo

In this hilarious and defining Carry On film, two enslaved Britons are taken to Rome. One of them is mistaken for a fighter, and gets drafted into the Royal Guard to protect Caesar. "Infamy! Infamy! They've all got in-for-me!"

Also starring Sheila Hancock

Vicar of Dibley

Sitcom set in the fictional village of Dibley, which is assigned a female vicar, much to the consternation of the Chairman of the Parish Council.

Also tagged British Sitcom

Sorry I'm Single

Derek Nimmo as a bachelor living in a Hampstead bed-sit during London's swinging sixties era

Also starring Derek Nimmo

All Gas and Gaiters

One of the first TV series to poke fun at the clergy (albeit in a very gentle manner), All Gas and Gaiters is the fondly remembered sitcom that elevated Derek Nimmo to household-name status in Britain and also spawned two spin-off series as well as a radio show.

Also starring Derek Nimmo

Both Ends Meet sitcom

Sausage packer and widower Dora Page is struggling to make ends meet, but she has a plan that'll soon have life's little luxuries falling into her lap. Dora Bryan stars in this 1970s sitcom.

Also tagged British Sitcom

Down the 'Gate tv series

Sitcom starring Reg Varney as a porter in Billingsgate fish market

Also starring Dilys Laye

Tony Hancock

When Tony Hancock left the BBC for ITV his was one of the most watched shows on British television. By the end of this ITV series his career was in shreds...

Also starring Derek Nimmo