SUMMARY: Sykes is a British sitcom that aired on BBC 1 from 1972 to 1979. Starring Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques, it was written by Sykes. Forty-three of the 1970s colour episodes were remakes of scripts for the 1960s black and white series, such as "Bus" based on 'Sykes and a Following' from 1964 and the episode "Stranger" with Peter Sellers based on 'Sykes and a Stranger' from 1961. The series was brought to an end by the death of Hattie Jacques of a heart attack on 6th October 1980.
BOURNEMOUTH CONNECTION: Some of the filming took place on St Leonard’s Road, with scenes inside the Brunswick Pub used on many occasions. One local resident at the time remembered seeing the production team filming Eric Sykes and Derick Guyler filming ‘Sykes’ when they came out of the doctors surgery on St Leonard’s Road in the 70s. Other locations local residents remember seeing filmed were Shelbourne Road and Claremont Avenue in Boscombe. In 1976, a car stunt scene shot at Mudeford reportedly led to Christchurch Council discouraging future filming there, due to its fragile ecology.