Trivia for
"Last of the Summer Wine" (1973)

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• Officially announced by Buckingham Palace in 1996 as being Her Majesty the Queen's favourite television series. Currently in its 30th year, recognized as "the longest-running comedy series in the world".
  
  
• By 1976, it was clear that Michael Bates was ill. The cancer which was to eventually kill him, meant the strenuous walking through the hills became impossible. He was written out of the series and his noticeable gap was filled by Brian Wilde, who had already become known as Mr. Barrowclough in "Porridge" (1974). Michael Bates did continue to appear in his other success, "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" (1974), but died soon after.
  
  
• Holmfirth was chosen as the setting for Last of the Summer Wine after Barry Took made a programme about Working Men's Clubs at nearby Burnlee WMC. When producer Jimmy Gilbert was looking for a location for an episode of "Comedy Playhouse" (1961), Barry Took recommended Holmfirth. That episode was developed into the series "Last of the Summer Wine".
  
  

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