The late Harry Secombe’s son Andrew Secombe has been cast in his father’s role in new episodes of Radio 4’s The Missing Hancocks, which are being recorded this weekend in London. 

Hancock’s Half Hour broadcast on BBC Radio from 1954-59. In the second series, which aired in 1955, Harry Secombe was drafted in at short notice to cover for the show’s lead actor when he disappeared abroad. Secombe covered the Hancock role for the first three episodes, before Tony Hancock resurfaced in time to record the fourth. Galton and Simpson then rewrote the script so that as part of the show Tony Hancock went to Wales to thank Harry Secombe for filling in, with Harry appearing as himself.

True to the originals, Andrew Secombe will play his father’s version of Hancock in the first three episodes of The Missing Hancocks. In the fourth, listeners will hear him take on the role of his father Harry Secombe. Kevin McNally, who has played Hancock in the recreations, will then return in this role.

The Missing Hancocks is returning to Radio 4 for a third series next year, recreating more episodes of radio comedy Hancock’s Half Hour which are missing from the BBC archives. The series has  been brought back to life by Neil Pearson who discovered the scripts for the missing episodes. So far ten of the twenty lost episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour have been re-recorded and five will be broadcast next year, leaving just five episodes missing from the archives.

Andrew Secombe says: "These programmes have long been a source of curiosity among the family, developing an almost mythic quality - indeed I had no idea that the scripts still existed until I got the call from Neil Pearson! I'm thrilled to be a part of the very talented team bringing these episodes of a much-loved series back to life. Who'd have thought taking over the family business could be such fun?"

Sioned Wiliam, Commissioning Editor for Comedy for Radio 4 and 4 Extra, adds: “It’s particularly delicious to have Andrew stepping in to his father’s shoes. And a joy to welcome these great scripts by Galton and Simpson and Neil Pearson’s meticulous production back to Radio 4.”

The new episodes will air on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.