Mike Berry is "disappointed" he wasn’t re-cast in the remake of ‘Are You Being Served?’.
The 73-year-old actor portrayed Bert Spooner in the original run of the classic sitcom from 1972 until 1985 and was devastated when he found out bosses weren’t calling him to star in the forthcoming reboot of the laugh-out-loud show.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "I’m interested to see it, but I’m disappointed they didn’t ask me to be in it. I really fancy Arthur English’s old role of Mr Harman, though Arthur Smith is brilliant casting for him … as long as he gets the dialogue…"
Mike has admitted he was "surprised" when he heard the BBC had decided to remake the show and thinks viewers will be a little let down by the new cast, which includes Sherrie Hewson, Jorgie Porter and John Challis.
He explained: "I thought maybe it was a mistake. I’d seen versions of ‘Hancock’ and stuff which failed miserably. Anyone else delivering those lines is not funny.
"So there’s a chance they’re on thin ice. Also, ‘Are You Being Served?’s seaside postcard humour was a thing of its time.
"But there are a lot of older people who still love that humour, so why not give it a go with a new cast?
"I’m intrigued to see how it turns out and how the various characters work with different actors.
"Some are well-matched, but they’ll never be quite the same and if you compare the new ones with the originals I think you’ll be disappointed."
Meanwhile, ‘Are You Being Served?’ isn’t the only show being revived as part of the BBC’s classic sitcom season as ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ and ‘Porridge’ have also being given the go-ahead and are set to hit screens next month.
Mike Berry ‘disappointed’ he wasn’t re-cast in Are You Being Served?
