The legacy of ‘Little Britain’

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It’s thirteen years since Little Britain hit our screens with its outrageous brand of humour.

Always shocking, defiantly funny, and endlessly quotable, the BBC comedy series from David Walliams and Matt Lucas has become part of the national landscape, even inspiring Russian and American versions.

As well as Carol Beer telling everybody that her ‘computer says no’, and a pocket sized Dennis Waterman wanting to write the theme tune, sing the theme tune, Little Britain is still recognised everywhere for its catchphrases.

From perpetually bored teenager Vicky Pollard (‘No, but, no, yeah, but no’) who swapped her baby for a Westlife CD, to odd couple Lou and Andy (‘I want that one’), who are improbably named after counterculture icons Lou Reed and Andy Warhol, the world of Walliams and Lucas is populated by a legion of memorable characters.

Partners In Crime 3 Tommy Beresford (DAVID WALLIAMS)

Throughout Little Britain’s run, the show featured many impressive famous guests, such as Buffy star Anthony Stewart Head playing the Prime Minister, as well as appearances from the UK’s top comedy talent, such as Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan and Julia Davis.

There were also appearances from the likes of Ronnie Corbett, Paul McKenna and Mollie Sugden, playing themselves. In every single episode, however, the unmistakable tones of classic Doctor Who actor Tom Baker could be heard as the narrator introducing each programme and making nonsensical comments (‘we invented the cat’).

Doctor Who Tom Baker Fourth

Little Britain is still so popular that you can even play themed games all over the world, like the online gambling game on Casino.com in which players can spin a five-reel slot machine and work their way through five bonus rounds. It’s suitable bonkers, with Dafydd – the only gay in the village – demanding that you get him dressed before you can claim your bonus, while Emily wants your help to collect nice lady-like objects. All games from Casino.com come with the chance of winning real money too.

David Walliams has been the host of Britain’s Got Talent since 2012, and has most recently been seen in Walliams and Friend  with Joanna Lumley. However, his greatest recent success has been as the author of several highly successful children’s books (selling over four million copies), which have been compared to Roald Dahl.

Pompidou Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas, meanwhile, starred in BBC Two’s Pompidou, which emulated the freewheeling inventive visual style of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, and appeared alongside Peter Capaldi in 2015’s Doctor Who Christmas special, ‘The Husbands of River Song’.