The character of Joan (
Jane Carr), a lady's maid, was introduced at a few hours' notice to say the lines that Edward the footman (
Christopher Beeny) would have said in this episode. Beeny had been badly injured in a motorbike accident on his way to the rehearsal on the day before recording and at the time it was thought that he would not survive his injuries. Hasty modifications were made to the script, with Beeny's absence being explained by saying that Edward was on holiday. In the following episode,
A Family Gathering (1973), it was mentioned that Edward had broken his leg when he fell down stairs. Thankfully Beeny recovered and was able to appear as Edward in the following season's episodes.