AN ‘AFFECTIONATE tribute’ to one of the country’s best-loved comedy stars will be given in Otley in January.

John Le Mesurier became a household name thanks to his role as Sergeant Wilson in Dad’s Army.

Le Mesurier’s character became one of the most popular in the classic BBC sitcom, which ran from 1968 to 1977 - notching up 80 episodes along the way.

The story of his career and life will be told by impressionist Julian Dutton at Otley Courthouse on Saturday, January 11.

Dutton has appeared on BBC1’s The Big Impression and BBC R4’s The Secret World.

He is also the co-creator and co-star of BBC2’s Pompidou, with Matt Lucas, and his work has won a British Comedy Award, a BAFTA, and a Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Comedy.

Dutton is also the author of four books: the historical travelogue Shakespeare’s Journey Home: a Traveller’s Guide through Elizabethan England; The Bumper Book of Curious Clubs; Keeping Quiet: Visual Comedy in the Age of Sound; and a comic book for children, The Secret Diary of Samuel Pepys, aged Ten & Three Quarters.

The name of his show about Le Mesurier, Do You Think That’s Wise?, refers to a question that Sergeant Wilson often put to Captain Mainwaring - his commanding officer in Dad’s Army, the story of a group of bumbling volunteers in the Home Guard during the Second World War.

Le Mesurier had a reputation for portraying - and being - the ‘quintessential English gentleman.

He regularly played the role of an authority figure, to which he brought a wry smile and dry wit.

Behind the professional success, however, he had a troubled private life and for most of his life was a heavy drinker.

He also had three troubled marriages, the third of which saw his wife Joan - nee Malin - have an affair with his close friend, comedian Tony Hancock.

Dutton doesn’t try to hide the dark side of Le Mesurier’s life in his production but Do You Think That’s Wise? is also full of laughter and lighter moments.

It has been described as being ‘packed with glorious reminiscences and stories from the Golden Age of Classic British Comedy...a joyful and moving celebration of one of the most popular comic actors of our era’.

The show begins at the Courthouse at 7.30pm and tickets cost £14.

They can be booked by visiting www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street, Otley.