George Cole stars in the classic BBC Radio sitcom about a bashful, bumbling bachelor

First broadcast in 1953, A Life of Bliss ran for six series and 118 episodes on radio, concluding in 1969 when a TV series was made. Sadly, most are missing from the BBC archive (including the first seven, starring David Tomlinson) – but 19 were rescued and rebroadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra, and are included here.

They chronicle the misadventures of shy, absent-minded bachelor David Bliss, who goes through life with his head in the clouds and his mind in a fog. His friends and family agree that it’s high time he settled down, but it’s hard to find the right girl – though he’s sure she’ll come along sooner or later. Perhaps pretty Penny Gay will fit the bill – or Maxine, or Zoe…

In the meantime, he’s happy to live the single life: though he does keep finding himself in awkward situations. Fortunately, his sister Anne and brother-in-law Tony are around to provide support and encouragement – and he can always rely on his best friend, faithful canine companion Psyche.

Created by Godfrey Harrison, who went on to write TV scripts for Tony Hancock, this delightfully light comedy stars George Cole as Bliss, with Diana Churchill as Anne, Colin Gordon as Tony and Percy Edwards as Psyche the Dog. Among the guest stars are Petula Clark, Desmond Carrington and Donald Sinden.