The Brittas Empire. Gordon Brittas (Chris Barrie). Copyright: BBC
The Brittas Empire

The Brittas Empire

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1991 - 1997
  • 52 episodes (7 series)

Despite his ambition and good intentions, everything seems to go wrong at Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre when manager Gordon Brittas is around. Stars Chris Barrie, Pippa Haywood, Julia St. John, Mike Burns, Russell Porter and more.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 489

Press clippings

Brittas Empire leisure centre made out of Lego

Residents on social media have been unanimous in their praise for a Lego creation from artist Rob Smith which depicts Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre.

Andrew Goldman, Bournemouth Echo, 13th April 2022

Brittas Empire cast to reunite for online event

The cast of The Brittas Empire are to reunite online, on Thursday 28th January, to mark the 30th anniversary of the leisure centre sitcom.

British Comedy Guide, 19th January 2021

The Brittas Empire should get more respect

Some 1990s comedies remain somewhat or entirely forgotten by the 21st century. One of those sitcoms is The Brittas Empire.

Rebecca Hannant, Super Ink, 18th April 2020

Chris Barrie on The Brittas Empire

Putting on the distinctive nasal voice of Gordon, Barrie said: "Well, I'm ready and waiting for the green light it's going to happen."

The Daily Express, 8th July 2019

The Brittas Empire interviews

On Christmas day BBC Radio Solent will broadcast a special retrospective of the series at 16.00 (repeated on New Year's day) with Chris Barrie, the cast and writers looking back on the series and the future. Hosted by Richard Latto, it looks like we'll be in for a treat.

The Gay UK, 24th December 2017

Brittas Empire stars meet for reunion

The stars of hit 1990s BBC sitcom The Brittas Empire reunited at the leisure centre where the show was filmed.

British Comedy Guide, 3rd October 2017

Brittas Empire cast to reunite

The cast of The Brittas Empire will reunite on 2nd October for the post-refurbishment reopening of the leisure centre at which location scenes for the 1990s sitcom were filmed, Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre in the New Forest.

Danii Cohen, Chris Barrie Fans, 11th August 2017

Brittas Empire - back on or off?

There seems to be a question mark over whether The Brittas Empire is going to return to the BBC.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th January 2016

Do you want to see The Brittas Empire return?

Is there really any need for The Brittas Empire to come back for a rumoured one-off Christmas special?

David Brown, Radio Times, 8th July 2015

Brittas Empire will return but it will be disappointing

The greatest sitcom ever to be set in a leisure centre is rumoured to be returning to TV. But can its knockabout charm still raise a laugh?

Simon Usborne, The Independent, 8th July 2015

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