Letter from Bill Pertwee

Bill Pertwee, who later starred as ARP Warden Hodges in 'Dad's Army', here writes to BBC director and producer Richard Afton in search of his big TV break. The cousin that he mentions here is actor Jon Pertwee, who became one of the stars of the hit radio comedy 'The Navy Lark' before taking on the title role in 'Doctor Who' in 1970.

Bill Pertwee had only been an entertainer for a couple of years when he wrote this letter, having served his apprenticeship in variety halls across the country. He wrote about his early variety career in his autobiography, 'A Funny Way to Make a Living' (1996), while some of his other books include 'Promenades and Pierrots' (1979) and 'By Royal Command' (1981). Pertwee is also a founder member and the president of the 'Dad's Army' Appreciation Society.