Last of Summer Wine boss quits in axe row

Dec 24 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE man who brought Last of the Summer Wine to the nation’s TV screens is quitting the programme.

Producer and director Alan J W Bell, the man behind 27 series of the world’s longest-running comedy, blames the BBC for his decision.

He is angry that the BBC has refused to make a decision on whether or not the show has a future.

He also says the BBC reneged on a promise made to him in a top-level meeting.

He was summoned to meet BBC chiefs last week after breaking the news in the Examiner that the show was set to be axed.

The BBC said no decision had been taken.

BBC producers told him they would arrange for the filming of a one-off special next year.

But Mr Bell says that within hours they had told him that would not be possible because of the costs.