'ALLO, 'ALLO... IS ANYONE LISTENING?

The Second World War sitcom is still enjoyed by millions of fans more than three decades after it ended. Now three of its surviving stars have launched a lively podcast... and writer RICHARD WEBBER was invited along to observe

- ROWAN GRIFFITHS

INSIDE a 16th-century thatched Cotswold cottage, three old friends relax around the kitchen table reminiscing about their careers. Drinking copious cups of coffee and munching Florentines, their laughter fills the room.

But what makes this trio different is that they're Kim Hartman, Richard Gibson and Guy Siner, three actors from the wartime sit-com 'Allo, 'Allo!, which ran for 10 years after marching on to our screens in 1982 and still entertains millions of viewers today.

The gathering in Hartman's rustic kitchen, however, is more than a friendly catch-up, as the microphones and recording equipment indicate. It's helping keep the show's memory alive for its devoted fan base via the pals' new podcast, named Listen Very Carefully. Voted the Radio Times' podcast of the week, it's had tens of thousands of downloads.

Listen Very Carefully was the brainchild of Hartman's son, Tom.

"He heard a Keeping Up Appearances' podcast and thought I should record one with Richard and Guy about 'Allo 'Allo!," explains Hartman, 72, who played Private Helga Geerhart, the German temptress. "We're old friends and very relaxed with each other so it's great fun.

"Richard takes care of the technical side, and Guy is good on social media so concentrates on publicity while I provide the studio, dinner and clean beds!"

A second later, Giorgio, her large black cat, leaps onto the table and knocks the microphones. "We just spent 30 minutes setting up all the equipment! Still, it's all a technical learning curve," she smiles good-naturedly, ushering the cat out into the garden - only for it to return via the cat flap!

Siner, 76 - who portrayed Lieutenant Gruber, the German officer who took a shine to café owner René - Hartman, and 70-year-old Gibson - alias Herr Flick, the sinister Gestapo officer - are to record episode 24.