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Is Ian Lavender not keeping up with who Catherine Zeta-Jones is?

As the last surviving member of Dad’s Army‘s main cast, Ian Lavender will be the only actor to appear in both the BBC series and the upcoming film adaptation.

Although Mr S hears a whisper that Lavender failed to recognise his co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones on the set of the film, he does think that the movie could be onto something with its addition of female leads.

‘That collection of ladies, Sarah Lancashire, Annette Crosbie, Alison Steadman and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is wonderful,’ the 68-year-old actor tells Steerpike at the Oldie of the Year awards. ‘When you think of Dad’s Army, the lady parts are tiny parts and now you’ve got this terrific cast, perhaps we should have had more women back then.’

Lavender, who played Private Frank Pike in the original series, adds that his moments with Zeta-Jones on set were fleeting. ‘I only met Catherine for a very short time because she didn’t have much to do with the platoon,’ he says.

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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