In recent years, Bradley Walsh took on the lead role of Pop Larkin in a remake of 'The Darling Buds Of May' inaptly titled 'The Larkins'. I couldn't get past the first episode. It was appaling. I could not for the life of me fathom why ITV saw fit to reboot a classic which was nigh on, to quote the great man Pop Larkin himself, perfick! Recently, I re-watched the entire series of the original and I am pleased to say I enjoyed every minute of it.
Based on the novel by H. E. Bates, 'The Darling Buds Of May' is all about the life of the Larkin family. Sidney Charles Larkin, known to all and sundry as Pop, is a farmer who somehow has managed to avoid paying tax or national insurance throughout his entire life. His justification for dodging his dues being that he never has money in his hands long enough. His common law wife is Flo Parker, known affectionately as Ma, with whom he has seven children with. One day, a young man by the name of Cedric Charlton, who works as a clerk at the Inland Revenue arrives on the farm to get Pop to fill in his tax forms.
Quickly, Cedric, later to be nicknamed Charley, becomes attracted to the Larkins' eldest daughter Mariette, who in turns falls for him. It is from then, Charley becomes disillusioned with his life as a tax clerk and decides to quit his job and live his life on the farm. Charley and Mariette eventually get married and later open up a brewery together.
It is impossible to deliver an objective review on this wonderful show. Every episode is a delight. David Jason is excellent as the proud patriarch that was Pop, portraying the character with the right degree of joviality and earnestness. He also has an excellent chemistry with the underrated Pam Ferris, who portrayed Ma as a character who was like everyone's favourite auntie. Phillip Franks also was wonderful and did not receive the credit I felt he deserved as the wet behind the ears Charley. I am not a fan of Catherine Zeta Jones but her performance as Mariette is the best of anything she has done before or since.
Also impressive in the cast were Rachel Bell as local spinster Edith Pilchester and Moray Watson as retired Brigadier.
'The Darling Buds Of May' was a charming feel good programme which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. No one gets hurt, the sun is always shining and nothing seems to get the Larkin family down. Jason may well always be remembered chiefly as Del Boy from 'Only Fools & Horses' but Pop Larkin runs a close second as one of his all time greatest characters.
A special mention must be made of the beautiful theme tune ( composed by Pip Burley ) which encapsulates the warm nature of the show tremendously well.
Based on the novel by H. E. Bates, 'The Darling Buds Of May' is all about the life of the Larkin family. Sidney Charles Larkin, known to all and sundry as Pop, is a farmer who somehow has managed to avoid paying tax or national insurance throughout his entire life. His justification for dodging his dues being that he never has money in his hands long enough. His common law wife is Flo Parker, known affectionately as Ma, with whom he has seven children with. One day, a young man by the name of Cedric Charlton, who works as a clerk at the Inland Revenue arrives on the farm to get Pop to fill in his tax forms.
Quickly, Cedric, later to be nicknamed Charley, becomes attracted to the Larkins' eldest daughter Mariette, who in turns falls for him. It is from then, Charley becomes disillusioned with his life as a tax clerk and decides to quit his job and live his life on the farm. Charley and Mariette eventually get married and later open up a brewery together.
It is impossible to deliver an objective review on this wonderful show. Every episode is a delight. David Jason is excellent as the proud patriarch that was Pop, portraying the character with the right degree of joviality and earnestness. He also has an excellent chemistry with the underrated Pam Ferris, who portrayed Ma as a character who was like everyone's favourite auntie. Phillip Franks also was wonderful and did not receive the credit I felt he deserved as the wet behind the ears Charley. I am not a fan of Catherine Zeta Jones but her performance as Mariette is the best of anything she has done before or since.
Also impressive in the cast were Rachel Bell as local spinster Edith Pilchester and Moray Watson as retired Brigadier.
'The Darling Buds Of May' was a charming feel good programme which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. No one gets hurt, the sun is always shining and nothing seems to get the Larkin family down. Jason may well always be remembered chiefly as Del Boy from 'Only Fools & Horses' but Pop Larkin runs a close second as one of his all time greatest characters.
A special mention must be made of the beautiful theme tune ( composed by Pip Burley ) which encapsulates the warm nature of the show tremendously well.