NOSTALGIA: ‘I don’t think Dad’s Army exaggerated anything’ – Arnold ‘Pte Godfrey’ Ridley in Boston in 1970

Arnold Ridley in Boston in February 1970, donning the hat of staff sergeant Jack Shaw from the Army Recruitment Office.

The 74-year-old, a veteran of both World Wars, played Pte Godfrey in the popular BBC TV series.

The actor and playwright (great-uncle of Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley) was in town for the premiere of his new play, Festive Board.

It was to be performed at Blackfriars Theatre by the New Midland Theatre Company.

Arnold Ridley in Boston in February 1970. EMN-200213-162222001

Of Dad’s Army, he said: “It was great fun, but rather taxing. It’s finished now, of course, though it is possible it might be brought back, as it did seem to be rather popular. The problem of doing some more would be getting the team together again. It wouldn’t be the same if some of the cast were replaced.”

Dad’s Army debuted in 1968 and would ultimately run until the end of the Seventies.

Mr Ridley said he was proud of the fact that he served in both wars and was also in the Home Guard for a short period after coming out of the Army at the time of Dunkirk.

“I don’t think Dad’s Army exaggerated anything,” he said. “It really was rather mad like that.”

Arnold Ridley in Boston in February 1970. EMN-200213-162233001

Mr Ridley started acting when he was 17, the Standard wrote.

At the time of the interview, he had written more than 20 plays and directed several productions.

Listeners to BBC’s The Archers serial would also have known him as ‘Doughy’ Hood, the baker.

He said he had no preference for comedy or straight roles. Neither was he worried about his ‘image’.

He said with a chuckle: “Pte Godfrey was a bit dim. And I also played a rather silly vicar in Crossroads. There’s a bit of type-casting for you.”

At that time, he was busy with more TV programmers – one for BBC2 and the new BBC comedy series starring Tessie O’Shea, As Good Cooks Go.

In fact, his writing had been taking a back seat for quite a time now, the paper noted.

He said: “I think this will probably be my last play. If I had to choose between writing and acting, I’d choose acting. There’s much less responsibility. It’s so easy to say ‘Here I am. Tell me what you want me to do’, than to sit down and work hard for months writing a play.”

He added: “Sometimes they come very easily – I once wrote a play in six days. But they usually take much longer.

“Naturally I hope this latest one is a success. But if it isn’t, well, I’ve very philosophical about things these days,” he added with a wry smile.