Special Sub-Topic: The Life and Times of Alf Garnett Click Here To Play: The Life and Times of Alf Garnett

In which TV series did Alf Garnett make his very first appearance?

Comedy Playhouse. 'Comedy Playhouse' was the birthplace of some of UK TVs best loved characters of the 1960s and 1970s. Alf, portrayed as a racist, anti feminist bigot soon became a firm favourite when the original play was developed into a series in its own right.

Which political party was Alf Garnett a fervent supporter of?

Conservative. Alf was a Conservative through and through. He kept a portrait of Winston Churchill on the wall of his living room. The only party leaders he didn't like were Margaret Thatcher, 'a women's place is chained to the kitchen sink' and the 'Grammar School boy', Edward Heath.

Alf Garnett had a nickname for his wife, Elsie. What did he usually call her?

Silly Moo. Elsie was Alf's long suffering wife and they had a love/hate relationship. Whenever she did or said something he thought was not right he called her a 'silly moo'. Scouse git was reserved for his son in law.

What was the name of Alf Garnett's daughter?

Rita. Rita hated her father's right wing opinions. She eventually married a Liverpool born Roman Catholic socialist called Mike.

Alf Garnett had a particular hatred for one sports team. Which one was it?

Tottenham Hotspur. Being an Eastender, Alf was a lifelong supporter of West Ham. True to his bigoted, anti semitic views he hated what he called 'the Jews up at Spurs'. (This became a bit of an in joke within the cast of the shows as Warren Mitchell, who played Alf Garnett, was himself Jewish and an ardent supporter of Tottenham Hotspur).

What did Alf Garnett's son in law do for a living?

Nothing. Alf's son in law, Michael Rawlins, was a real layabout. He was the exact opposite of Alf, a left wing, sexually liberated, non racist. Because he came from Liverpool Alf usually referred to him as a 'randy Scouse git'. Mike was also a bit of a Republican which went against Alf's love of the Monarchy.

When Alf and Elsie Garnett retired, where did they move to?

Eastbourne. Alf and Elsie moved to Eastbourne and lived with a character called Min. Rita appeared from time to time with her son, Michael, who was, much to Alf's consternation, a punk rocker.

What was the name of the character assigned to look after Alf's wife in the first series of 'In Sickness and in Health'?

Winston. Winston was a young, gay, black care worker. Elsie was confined to a wheelchair and Alf objected to having to push her everywhere. Despite Alf's prejudices the pair eventually become used to each other and a sort of relationship develops between them.

What was Alf Garnett's nickname for the care worker that looked after him in his latter years?

Marigold. After Elsie Garnett died Winston, the black, gay, carer stayed on to look after Alf. He used to take him to watch his beloved West Ham United. Their relationship developed despite Alf's bigoted attitude. Alf called Winston 'Marigold' and Winston called him 'bwana'.

What was the name of the character that jilted Alf Garnett at the alter in the fourth series of 'In Sickness and in Health'?

Mrs Hollingberry. Mrs Hollingberry lived in the flat above Alf. At first they didn't get on, but, eventually, Alf started to court her. She had a long lost brother in Australia and she and Alf went over to meet him and get married. After he was jilted he returned home and after some years discovered a cache of banknotes and became very rich.