The Navy Lark

THE NAVY LARK. British Royal Navy frigate named HMS Troutbridge based in HMNB Portsmouth. The programme was transmitted on the BBC Light Programme and subsequently BBC Radio 2. It was produced by Alastair Scott Johnston. Jon Pertwee is frequently quoted as having suggested the idea of a forces comedy based on the Royal Navy, but Alastair Scott Johnston and writer Laurie Wyman both contemplated an Air Force- and an Army-themed sitcom before going to the BBC with The Navy Lark. Wyman included ideas based on excuses for late return from leave and other misdemeanours from HMS Troubridge bulletins. He worked with George Evans (Pertwee's personal scriptwriter) from quite early on, but Alastair Scott Johnston did not want him named until the 12th series onwards. For most of its run the show starred Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray (whose names rotated) in order of precedence with each new episode over the entire 15 season (244 episodes) run