A review of the Croft and Perry Interview with Gordon Peters posted October 2021
The name Gordon Peters may not be that familiar to fans of old tv sitcoms but he’s had a long career as a comedy actor, appearing in many shows over the years, including two episodes of Hi-deHi!, four episodes of Dad’s Army, two episodes of Are You Being Served? and one episode of Grace and Favour. It’s hard to believe he’s now 95; despite complaining that his memory isn’t as good as it was, he still manages to entertain on the Croft and Perry Podcast with stories about his involvement in a number of Croft and Perry shows, especially Dad’s Army and Are You Being Served?
At roughly half way (12.30 minutes in) he talks about his only appearance in Grace and Favour in which he is being interviewed as a waiter for the manor. He has previously been employed as a waiter on British Rail trains and, in a hilarious scene, staggers into the interview carrying a tray and sways about as though still on a moving train! As he exits, you hear a crash off stage. Needless to say, he doesn’t get the job. Interestingly, the crash was his idea. He suggested it to David Croft, who wasn’t known to take any suggestions from the cast, but who immediately agreed to include it.
Gordon Peters must be one of the few surviving actors from that golden age of tv sitcoms that’s sadly long gone but fortunately not forgotten. He says he’s often asked what he puts his longevity down to and he always replies that it’s doing the job he loved.
Gordon Peters appears in Season 1, episode 4 of Grace and Favour
You can see the full interview with Gordon Peters at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFMqcKPwAMs)
For a full list of his many tv appearances and more, check out his page at the official Are You Being Served? website:
Gordon Peters (aybscentral.com
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