Quality television never goes out of style: Interview with Jeffrey Holland (1/3)

Recently GrownUps had the pleasure to speak with Jeffrey Holland to reminisce about his career and find out what he’s up to now. Many of us will remember Jeffrey from his two iconic roles in British comedies Hi de Hi! and You Rang, M’Lord?

“You Rang, M’Lord? was a personal favourite,” Jeffrey says, because it’s, “such a quality show.” First screening in the UK in 1988, You Rang, M’Lord? still delights audiences across the world 30 years on.

Jeffrey can’t explain why, but there’s something about the show that really resonates with audiences in Hungary and Eastern Europe, with, “fans by the thousands.” Jeffrey says it’s, “the most amazing thing,” and is trying to arrange a reunion with some of the cast to go to Budapest in September to meet the fans.

In You Rang, M’Lord? Jeffrey played James Twelvetrees, footman to the Meldrum family. He says one of his favourite scenes is with his love interest, Miss Poppy. James fell head over heels for Miss Poppy, who used to tease him rotten. On one occasion, they are alone in her bedroom and James teaches her to play ukulele. James holds down the notes while Miss Poppy strums and together they sing Ain’t She Sweet. Jeffrey says it’s, “one of my favourite scenes in the whole piece. It’s a joy.”

Talking about You Rang, M’Lord?, Jeffrey says the, “writing was so clever, costumes were amazing.” GrownUps readers will be interested to learn a little-known fact about the show: “People don’t know that David Croft and Jimmy Perry [planned] to set the programme in abdication years, the 1930s … Mary Husband who did costume designs – she suggested it might be better if set 10 years earlier, particularly for the ladies. The costumes were so much more glamorous and brilliant and theatrical.”

Make sure you check out Part 2. We talk to Jeffrey about how the acting business has changed over his 51 year career and find out what he’s up to now.

Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang, M’Lord? are now showing on the JONES! channel on SKY. Watch Hi De Hi! on Wednesdays at 9.10pm and You Rang M’Lord? on Wednesdays at 9.45pm.