Nearest And Dearest. Image shows from L to R: Nellie Pledge (Hylda Baker), Eli Pledge (Jimmy Jewel). Copyright: Granada Television
Nearest And Dearest

Nearest And Dearest

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV1
  • 1968 - 1973
  • 45 episodes (7 series)

Sitcom about brother and sister, Eli and Nellie Pledge, forced to run a pickle factory together. Stars Hylda Baker, Jimmy Jewel, Joe Gladwin, Madge Hindle, Edward Malin and Bert Palmer

Episode menu

Series 6, Episode 1 - For Better, For Worse

A husband for Nellie and a wife for Eli. Is that really too much to ask? The Pledges enter the Matrimonial Stakes but fail to come under starter's orders.

Further details

Nellie's thinking a think: she's thinking about her mystery date for the evening, thanks to the computer dating agency she's signed up to. "He's mature, a single fellow, director of his own business, generous and pleasant disposition, size 12 in shoes." He sounds perfect!

Eli's in the parlour having a bath in front of the fire, he's on for a hot secret date too, and when they arrive at the memorial for their 6 o'clock rendezvous, they only meet each other.

They both want to get married, so decide to enrol in a marriage bureau. Eli wants "a nice bit of crackling, five thousand quid a year and a little pub of her own" while Nellie isn't particular "as long as it's a fella".

It's all arranged for a double date but their prospective partners find more in common with each other and leave the Pledges high and dry.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 1st June 1972
Time
9pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Hylda Baker Nellie Pledge
Jimmy Jewel Eli Pledge
Joe Gladwin Stan Hardman
Madge Hindle Lily Tattershall
Edward Malin Walter Tattershall
Guest cast
Philip Stone Mr. Wellbeloved
Michael Hall Albert Ramshaw
Maggie Jones Ivy Crabtree
Ann Rye Miss Nesbit
Writing team
John Stevenson Writer
Lew Schwarz Script Editor
Production team
Bill Podmore Director
Bill Podmore Producer
Fred Massey Editor
Eric Deakins Production Designer
Derek Hilton Composer

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