Special stamps celebrate 50th anniversary of TV series Porridge

Eight special stamps of TV comedy series Porridge will be issued to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary, Royal Mail has announced.

They feature memorable quotes and scenes from the sitcom and faces of the well-known cast, including Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber, Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, and Fulton Mackay as Mr Mackay.

The British TV show follows jailbirds Norman and Lennie as they come face to face with the reality of imprisonment while surrounded by petty criminals and prison officers including Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough, played by Brian Wilde.

The show, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, ran for three series between 1974 and 1977 and also had a big-screen adaptation and a sequel series, Going Straight.

Speaking about the series, writer Clement said: “Ian and I told Ronnie that we had come up with the perfect title for the series.

“He said he had too. We let him go first. ‘Porridge’, he said. We stared at each other and laughed. That was our title too.”

La Frenais added: “So it was agreed with Ronnie and ourselves that we would write a comedy set in prison.

“In the interests of research Dick and I visited Wormwood Scrubs, Wandsworth and Brixton, after which we decided that there was absolutely no way a series about Porridge could ever be funny.”

David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: “Porridge continues to resonate with audiences even after five decades thanks to the quality of the writing and the characters the cast brought to the screen.

“These stamps celebrate British television creativity that is timeless and enduring.”

Barker, who died at the age of 76 in 2005, was known for being one half of The Two Ronnies.

He also played Albert Arkwright in TV series Open All Hours and appeared in satirical TV show The Frost Report.

Beckinsale, father to actress Kate Beckinsale, played Alan Moore in sitcom The Rising Damp, and died in 1979 at the age of 31.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from August 29 on the Royal Mail website and by telephone on 03457 641 641.

They go on general sale on September 3.

A presentation pack including all eight stamps is priced at £14.30.