Cold Feet star to play Sergeant Wilson in new Dad’s Army TV show

Cold Feet - S8
(Image credit: ITV)

Don't Panic! Dad's Army is returning!

Cold Feet actor Robert Bathurst is to star as Sergeant Wilson in Gold’s remake of Dad’s Army.

Robert, who plays David in Cold Feet, will be lining up alongside Pirate of the Caribbean actor Kevin McNally as Captain Mainwaring and the legendary Bernard Cribbins as Private Godfrey.

Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes will see Gold remake three episodes of the hit comedy which were first broadcast 50 years ago before they disappeared from the archives. The shows will use the original scripts by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Talking about the role originally played by John Le Mesurier, Robert said: “I’ve played soldiers before, but find I handle guns with all the bloodcurdling authority of Sergeant Wilson. I’m looking forward to playing him. I hope we can honour Croft and Perry’s lost episodes. It’s a celebration of their writing, with understudies.”

Dad's Army cast

Cold Feet star Robert joins Kevin and Bernard in the remake of Dad's Army

Bernard Cribbins added: “What a way to start the New Year. Back in khaki again – just like I was in 1947.”

Kevin McNally revealed he was looking forward to the “daunting” prospect of taking on the role of Captain Mainwaring, originally played by Arthur Lowe.

He said: “Now look here men, HQ tells me that three episodes of Dad’s Army have gone missing. And it has fallen to us to step in and replace them.

“I have been asked to double for Captain Mainwaring and daunting as that may be, I accept the responsibility and look forward to leading the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard in three last pushes against the Jerries. I hope you’ll join us and enjoy the ride.”

See more

The episodes are from the original second series and titled The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Walker, A Stripe for Frazer and Under Fire.

Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes will be shown on Gold later this year. Cold Feet, starring Robert, is currently on ITV.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!