Comments
I was fascinated to see the old programmes featuring Fanny Cradock. Some of the recipes are of interest. However, there is no way of obtaining the quantities of ingredients! Fanny says they are "in my book" - but none of her books are available...anywhere! Help, BBC Four! What is the point of a cookery programme without the information to enable us to make the recipes ourselves?
Lynda Leicester, Cheshire
Re Lynda's comment, I'm pleased to say that lots of Fanny's booklets and full cookery books (Daily Telegraph Cook's Book is the staple) are all available second hand on web - I'm building up quite a good collection. She is a total non-PC breath of fresh air - I particular like the anti-Labour government digs at the end of the 1975 Xmas series. How about repeating her and Johnnie's travel programmes BBC Four? Their travel books are a hoot and they were BBC-TV contract stars so must be some old VT around in some dusty vault...
Nick Good, London
I was totally hooked by the portrayal of this formidable woman. What a fascinating character. The writing and styling was excellent along with perfect performances by Mark Gatiss and Julia Davis. I hope the original cookery programmes are repeated again, as I missed them and am curious to see the real Fanny Cradock in action!
Chris Litchfield, Knebworth
I remember the Cooking with Fanny Cradock series and think it a pity that even for dramatic effect she was grossly caricatured in dress and make-up. Her hair was always immaculate and I'm sure never that brassy orange. She always looked ladylike and her trademark was to present the cookery programme in full evening dress wearing long gloves. Otherwise her treatment of Johnnie and the unfortunate aides was spot-on.
Lydia Skinner, Edinburgh
This was compelling viewing as I vaguely remember being fascinated by this formidable chef-ess with the husky voice, from the original broadcasts. Maybe now she would have been classified as suffering from a 'personality disorder' and she and those close to her helped to root out the cause of her somewhat impossible persona. She seemed to be confused by her own behaviour and the subsequent reactions of those around her. Excellent production - very sad but with some comical moments to lighten.
Sheila Shiner, Reading
The BBC did a great job of each set and the styling. I was absorbed by the interior and decor of the time. Great acting, Julia Davis makes a fantastic character actress.
Emma Hartley, Leeds
I thoroughly enjoyed Fear of Fanny. She was portrayed just like the real Fanny Cradock and it brought back all those schoolboy memories of having to suffer her cookery shows on weekday afternoons. Nothing much has changed on that front it seems.
Ian Payne, Lichfield, Staffs
I thought this was really entertaining. It showed a glimpse of Fanny and the world of yesteryear. I wish some of her programmes could be repeated, she was compelling and scary all at the same time. We could do with more larger than life characters on the TV set today.
Richard Welford, London
Quite a good laugh but perhaps a little unfair on Fanny. She and Johnny were very popular for years and she had a genuine passion for trying to raise the standard of UK food. Neither point came across very clearly. Also, why do most young actors seem unable to steer clear of ‘Estuarine English’ when portraying people from the past? Fanny Cradock had a deep, smoky voice and would have been appalled to be portrayed as Braintree's answer to Hyacinth Bucket.
Cardigan Man, Penlon, Carms
What an absolute powerhouse performance from Julia Davis and great supporting cast. Sadly, if this had been on BBC One or Two maybe Julia would have a chance of a Bafta.
Paul Magee, Belfast
Unlike the viewers who commented on Points of View, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the retrospective on TV cooks Fanny Cradock and The Galloping Gourmet before watching Fear of Fanny later in the evening. It gave younger viewers, who might not have seen the real Fanny Cradock on TV before, a chance to compare the two.
Victoria, Romford, Essex
I never saw Fanny Cradock in action on TV so this drama gave a tantalising glimpse into her formidable personality. I just feel slightly disappointed that we didn't find out more about why she was that way and events from her past were skimmed over or only hinted at. That said, Julia Davis and Mark Gatiss were perfect in the roles and brought Fanny and Johnny completely to life.
Kim Rees, Bognor Regis
This was terrific television, a completely convincing insight into the gushing, OTT chef and her patient husband. Julia's snarl at the union man who wouldn't connect the gas was brilliant. Hilarious yet also so sad.
David Clayton, The Wirral
What an excellent show! This really was a superbly well-written and acted piece. I remember seeing Fanny in black and white as a child and she always reminded me of a vicious Victorian headmistress with an acid wit - something Julia Davis portrayed superbly. Mark Gatiss must have been so relieved he was only acting as her husband!
Baron Barry, London
A great showcase of Julia's talents as a character actress, but I can't help but thinking this would have worked much better as a two or three-parter rather than an 80-minute one-off. It was still great though.
Laura Byrne, Smuttfield
Julia Davis seemed to produce a caricature rather than giving us an understanding of Fanny C's character. Neither did she get Fanny's voice - Benny Hill did better. Perhaps she was trying too hard. Mark Gatiss was fabulous as Johnny, and illustrated you can do more by doing less. I'd liked to have known more about why she was like she was. Perhaps it was just too superficial. The Elizabeth David prog was much better, and a model of what this should have been. A lost opportunity.
Richard Dargan, Surrey
I really loved this drama. The scene where Johnny was watching Benny Hill was wonderful and so funny.
Jackie, Maidstone
A great piece of writing. More like this!
Roger O'Brien, Roxburghshire
Someone told me that Fanny and Johnnie once did a programme showing how to make doughnuts and Johnny signed off with the words, "And I hope all your doughnuts look like Fanny's". How lovely if this was true.
Peter, Glastonbury
Julia Davis and Mark Gatiss must win awards for their performances. Flawless from start to finish.
Ian Rhodes, Leeds
Absolutely brilliant. Took me about 30 seconds to forget that I was watching Julia Davis and Mark Gatiss. It was great to see them working together again. And the food looked quite accurately awful - bananas rolled in jam and nuts, stuffed into a pineapple ring and topped with half a cherry...
Matthew, Old Trafford
Very enjoyable indeed. There are definite similarities between Fanny and Jill Tyrell (Nighty Night). This drama provided a fascinating insight into the bitter-sweet interaction between Fanny and those close to and not so close to her.
Oli, Newbury
Loved the blue egg, anchovy and mayonnaise recipe and the 'moving' snails. Top quality entertainment. Julia and cast were brilliant. It was award-level material.
Phil, Lewisham
What a Fannytastic piece of drama! I was absorbed by the piece, a truly magnificent programme. I can just remember (probably repeats) the real Fanny albeit in black & white. I was three in 1973 but can remember the formidable figure on the telly. What a sad ending for her though...
Michael, Petersfield
What a treat. Wonderfully realised and scripted. I was not a fan at the time but now wish that we could see the repeats. I think they would make wonderful 10-minute breaks. Best bit at the end: not many plays can finish with the line, "I wouldn't use so much fennel". Actually, was the last line "Ketchup?" I missed it as I was laughing so much at the fennel. Again, great programme. Put it out again soon!
Nic Waller, Frinton on Sea
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