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 2 - A Place In The Sun

Fourteen days in Sunny Spain for 10p all in. It sounds too good to be true, and it is!

Further details

Nellie's had enough. She's sick of "sat sitting in these four walls getting closetaphobia". The solution lands on the doormat: they've won a holiday for two to Spain with a raffle ticket brought at the bingo club. Eli doesn't fancy Spain though, he'd sooner have the cash alternative or a tour of the Scottish whisky distilleries.

However, after practising her Spanish dancing and learning to speak the lingo, Nellie isn't taking no for an answer, they're off to Spain!

At the airport, Lily and Walter and Stan have come to see them off. Walter is enjoying going to the lav in three languages and Eli and Stan are arguing over the number of bars. Nellie is not so happy though, she's been "insulted by her own passport, stabbed in the back by a hypergronic syringe and strangulated by her own corsets". Added to that the flight has been delayed six times. They'll "be coming back before we've gone".

The flight is finally cancelled and the Pledges have the option of alternative Spanish accommodation, or a full cash refund. They take the refund, which turns out to be the 10p they paid for the raffle ticket.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 8th 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
Barbara Young Woman in Doctor's
Alan Moore Everett Hampton
Writing team
Lew Schwarz Script Editor
Rex Arundel (as Rex Howard Arundel) Writer
Production team
Bill Podmore Director
Bill Podmore Producer
Eric Deakins Production Designer
Derek Hilton Composer

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