Yet Dad's Army lasted longer than the war itself and is a timeless, oft-repeated jewel in the BBC's crown.

Jimmy Perry was acting in the David Croft produced sitcom Hugh and I when he suggested the idea of a sitcom (in which he'd cannily earmarked himself for a role) concerning those men who volunteered to be the last line of defence should the Germans invade.

Croft was impressed, and despite BBC misgivings that it may be disrespectful to the Home Guard, a series was commissioned. Their fears were unfounded, as there was nothing more palpable in Dad's Army than the affection the programme makers had for the characters.

Based in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-On-Sea, the series used its setting for a sublime mix of character comedy and lunatic, slapstick escapades.

Social mores are no more acute than in difficult times, and Dad's Army was brilliant at exposing the flaws and anxieties of British society.

Central to the show was a triumvirate of brilliant comedy characters.

Captain Mainwaring was a jumped up, pompous, aspirational bank manager, reveling in the status accorded to him by his newfound rank.

Sergeant Wilson was a far more laid back figure whose urbane insouciance aggravated his superior in the extreme. Corporal Jones was the local butcher, a dotty old man prone to overreaction.

It's a testament to the scripts that the platoon boasted illustrious actors in its ranks: admired Shakespearian Laurie was suitably apocalyptic as the cantankerous and pessimistic undertaker Frazer; noted playwright Ridley made the incontinent Godfrey; instantly loveable younger members Beck as the wily spiv Walker (the part Perry had written for himself before Croft talked him out of it) and Lavender as naïve mother's boy Pike were spot on.

Despite the backdrop of conflict, most of the platoon's problems were home grown, notably from jobsworth ARP warden Hodges (Pertwee, usually called upon to fall in a river and seethe with frustration) and the vicar and his verger.

Croft and Perry seemed to cover all comedy bases in a single episode: there were high levels of farce mixed in with brilliantly, subtly observed characters and catchphrases galore ("Stupid boy", "Don't panic!", "We're doomed" and "D'you think that's wise sir?").

As long as there are fans of comedy, there will be fans of the Dad's Army.