Les Dawson's self-deprecating and enduringly bleak humour, coupled with a world-weary delivery honed in the working men's clubs of northern England, made him one of Britain's best-loved comedians.

Sez Les firmly established Les Dawson's reputation, running for over seven years and bringing his dour, miserablist humour to a wider viewing public. The success of this series enabled him to do a run of specials throughout the 1970s, and this set collects all nine, chief amongst them all four editions of Dawson And Friends: hour-long specials featuring the trademark mix of rambling monologues, sketches in which special guests appear alongside Les's own comic characters, and musical entertainment.

Among the stars joining Les and stalwart sideman Roy Barraclough are John Cleese, Humphrey Lyttelton, Lulu, Willie Rushton, Olivia Newton-John, Dennis Waterman, Fred Trueman and Lynsey De Paul.

This collection also includes Dawson's Electric Cinema, a nostalgic flashback to the early days of the Silver Screen in which Les revisits his local childhood cinema and portrays a host of characters from the past - including his own father; Sounds Like Les Dawson; Les Dawson's Christmas Box; and The Les Dawson Show.

First released: Monday 23rd November 2009

Extras

The Syd Lawrence Band Show - From 1970, guest-starring Les Dawson
The Glories of Christmas - A children's programme from Christmas Day 1974, featuring Les and a host of stars

• DVD