Morning Porridge

There'’s some more about Ronnie Barker in the papers today. Here Mark Lawson provides an outline of his career and gives his thoughts on why Barker achieved televisual immortality.

Erwin James wrote a column for The Guardian from inside prison while he was serving a life sentence, so heÂ’s perfectly placed to give an opinion on the portrayal of prisoners versus screws depicted in Porridge.

He mentions that we never discover what exactly Fletcher did to earn him his 5 year stretch. As a boy watching Porridge I once asked my Dad what he did to get him put away. Instead of admitting that he had no idea, my Dad replied “stealing milk bottles.” So for several years I always assumed that the theft of empty milk bottles from a doorstep could land you with a five year prison sentence.

Alasdair, who has never seen Porridge, has just asked me if it is 'like a comedy Bad Girls'.

Again I'll update this with any more features throughout the day.

Another sitcom star Warren Mitchell offers his memories.

Who was Gerald Wiley? A look at Barker's writing alter ego.

Here is an archived interview with Chortle.