When Carry On Came to Wales

BBC Radio Wales have a very special Christmas treat lined up for Carry On fans this Christmas Eve.

In 1968 the Carry On gang took a rare trip away from Pinewood to film the outside scenes for Carry On Up The Khyber. And in this special programme, Welsh actor Steve Speirs, who played Bernard Bresslaw in the TV film Cor Blimey tells the story of When Carry On Came to Wales.

The Watkin Path in Snowdonia became the Khyber Pass in India for the purposes of the Carry On antics which involved stars like Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw, Roy Castle and Terry Scott descending on North Wales. The film, which pokes fun at British pomposity and excess in the days of Empire, also stars Sid James and Joan Sims.

The cast who came to Wales stayed at the Old Goat in Beddgelert and as part of the programme Carry On actors Angela Douglas and Valerie Leon return to Snowdonia to reminisce about the shoot and to meet those who took part in filming 50 years ago. We hear about locals who appeared as extras, from waiters and others - and Angela is reunited with the man assigned to drive her around at the time. Others remembering the film, one of the most successful in the Carry On cannon, include Robert Ross and Carry On actress Alexandra Dane, who played Busti in Khyber.

The programme is produced by Ashley Byrne and Iain Mackness and is an MIM Production for BBC Radio Wales. 

When Carry On Came to Wales will be broadcast this evening at 6.30pm on BBC Radio Wales. You can listen live online or catch up here afterwards.

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