Who have been watching...

Who have been watching...

As a huge fan of 'Hi-de-Hi!' it is not a huge surprise that I am also very fond of 'Delta And The Bannermen'. In fact I would go so far to say that it is my favourite story of Season 24.

It has such a sunny happy feel to it and it looks as though the everyone involved had fun making it.
It features a stellar cast, amongst others Stubby Kaye, Ken Dodd, Don Henderson, Richard Davies and the lovely Hugh Lloyd.

Ken Dodd is perhaps the reason that lots of people dislike 'Delta', dimissing him as an example of JN-T stunt casting at its worst.

But I would disagree with that, as I think that Ken Dodd gives a very strong performance, one that he has definitely thought long and hard about. The story he turned up for the first day of filming bringing all his props with him says a lot about his dedication.

If nothing else his death scene is very well done and he certainly enjoys his final moments.
I'm not sure about the lilac costume, but as Andrew says in our video it is perhaps designed by whoever owns the tollgate to showcase the Tollmaster. He is the public face of the tollgate and the uniform makes him stand out. And at least it's not boring old space silver.

Stubby Kaye is charming as Agent Weismuller and I really love his burbling in Part Three when he is tying up the Bannermen. All his chattering about being an Eagle Scout and being good at tying knots.
I do wonder how much of this is scripted and how much improvisation is going on. Morgan Deare as Agent Hawk also has fun acting against him.

Don Henderson is the villianous Gavrok, a part he plays with ease and one that he seems to be enjoying.

The cast also features Brian Hibbard as the bounty hunter Keillor, giving an interesting perfomance with a South African accent, sone of the time. Apparently intended as a protest against Apartheid., according to some sources.

And a mention also for Richard Davies, who is superb as the Shangri-La Camp Host Burton.
Filmed in Barry Island in a down-at-heel Holiday Camp, the show really benefits from being on location and in a real camp, with pretty good weather.

And it's here that the 'Hi-de-Hi!' connection comes along. I wish that Chris Clough had cast someone from that show, as I can just see Felix Bowness in his Jockey gear fighting against Gavrok and the rest of the Bannermen. Possibly wagging his riding crop and mouthing off.

And of course we shouldn't forget the mysterious Goronwy, the strange bee keeper and possible Time Lord?

I love that in Part Three when everyone else is rushing around ready to fight off the Bannermen, he is just sat around reading his book. Which feels like a very Doctorish thing.

There's also Ray and Billy. Billy goes off with Delta and the Chimeron Princess at the end to help repopulate the Chimeron people... He and Delta are going to be very busy.

Ray is conceived  as a possible replacement for the soon to be departing Mel and I wonder how strong the Welsh accent would have stayed had she joined the TARDIS.

And I must just mention Sylvester McCoy's little piece of business with the apple in Part One when he holds it up to his ear and listens to it.

All in all 'Delta' is a fun and interesting 'Doctor Who' story, showing the different styles that the show can adapt.

(By Lisa Parker)
(With grateful  thanks to Pip Madeley for the 'You Have Been Watching' screencaps)