Life of Bliss

George Cole stars in the classic BBC Radio sitcom about a bashful, bumbling bachelorFirst broadcast in 1953, A Life of Bliss ran for six series and 118 episodes on radio, concluding in 1969 when a TV series was made. Sadly, most are missing from the BBC archive (including the first seven, starring David Tomlinson) - but 19 were rescued and rebroadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra, and are included here.They chronicle the misadventures of shy, absent-minded bachelor David Bliss, who goes through life with his head in the clouds and his mind in a fog. His friends and family agree that it's high time he settled down, but it's hard to find the right girl - though he's sure she'll come along sooner or later. Perhaps pretty Penny Gay will fit the bill - or Maxine, or Zoe...In the meantime, he's happy to live the single life: though he does keep finding himself in awkward situations. Fortunately, his sister Anne and brother-in-law Tony are around to provide support and encouragement - and he can always rely on his best friend, faithful canine companion Psyche.Created by Godfrey Harrison, who went on to write TV scripts for Tony Hancock, this delightfully light comedy stars George Cole as Bliss, with Diana Churchill as Anne, Colin Gordon as Tony and Percy Edwards as Psyche the Dog. Among the guest stars are Petula Clark, Desmond Carrington and Donald Sinden.Production creditsWritten by Godfrey HarrisonAnnouncer: Kenneth KendallBBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul FenhouletProduced by Leslie BridgmontFirst broadcast on the BBC Home Service on the following dates:Finding a Girlfriend 20 October 1954Office Secrets 13 August 1957Maxine 20 August 1957The Flat 27 August 1957Penny Gay's Return 3 September 1957Two Dozen Red Roses 31 December 1958A Spy in the Camp 7 January 1959A Woman Scorned 21 January 1959An Expert In Confusion 28 January 1959A Slave of Fashion 4 February 1959A Moving Story 11 February 1959United They Stay 18 February 1959Oh Brother 25 February 1959Battle of the Sexes 4 March 1959The Anniversary 11 March 1959Man at Bay 18 March 1959Mixed Feelings 25 March 1959Dangerous Company 1 April 1959Pleasure As Usual 8 April 1959CastDavid Bliss - George ColeAnne Fellows - Diana ChurchillTony Fellows - Colin GordonPsyche the Dog - Percy EdwardsPenny Gay - Petula ClarkMrs Bliss - Gladys YoungMr Bliss - Ernest Jay/Carleton HobbsMr Hood - Barry K. BarnesMaxine Avery - Sarah LawsonZoe Hunter - Sheila SweetMarcia Hammond - Gwen CherrellPhil Bender - Donald SindenWith Terence Alexander, Maxine Audley, Desmond Carrington, Belle Chrystall, Felix Felton, Gladys Henson, Nan Kenway, Rolf Lefebvre, Sheila Manahan, Hugh Manning, William Mervyn, Rosemary Miller, Ella Milne, Elsa Palmer, Judith Stott, Eleanor Summerfield, Frederick Treves, Ruth Trouncer, Una Venning, Tony Vickers, Virginia Winter(c)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd