Best Pair of Legs in the Business, The (1973)

Capitalising on his remarkable success in On the Buses, Reg Varney took on the contrasting role of a third-rate seaside holiday camp entertainer dreaming of stardom in this mid-seventies tragi-comedy feature.

‘Sherry’ Sheridan (Varney), is a bona but washed-up middle-aged female impersonator and compere currently stationed at a sleazy caravan site. Sherry is low on talent but high on ambition and relentlessly optimistic.

Convinced he just needs one decent break to launch himself into the big time, he’s sadly unaware that his family life is crumbling around him.

Can Sherry manage to secure both his job and his marriage?

Also starring Diana Coupland and Lee Montague, The Best Pair of Legs in the Business was adapted from an individual ITV Playhouse drama and scripted by Emmerdale Farm creator Kevin Laffan.

Varney had played the role before in the 1968 TV play of the same name, also directed by Christopher Hodson.

Unfortunately, his fans didn’t want to know, and The Best Pair of Legs in the Business ended up on the bottom half of a double bill with The Best of Benny Hill (1974).

Varney never played another straight part, and his career was effectively over.

‘Sherry’ Sheridan
Reg Varney
Mary Sheridan
Diana Coupland
Charlie Green
Lee Montague
Emma
Jean Harvey
Eunice
Penny Spencer
Ron
David Lincoln
Dai
George Sweeney
Glad
Clare Sutcliffe
Alan Sheridan
Michael Hadley
Bert
Bill Dean
Fred
Reginald Marsh
May
Karen Kessey
Millet
Johnny Briggs

Director
Christopher Hodson