Brittas Unleashed

Chris Barrie stars in series one of The Brittas Empire - now out on DVD.

18 July, 2003

As previously reported on reddwarf.co.uk, Eureka Video have begun their release of The Brittas Empire, which is on sale now. Previously unavailable except on a 'best of' compilation VHS, the entire first series arrives on July 21st on both DVD (complete with extras) and VHS.

Fondly remembered from its top-rated place on BBC1, there were seven series of the sitcom beginning in 1991. Created by writers Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss, Chris Barrie starred as the leisure centre manager whose attempts to maintain order just create more chaos. And yes girls, you do get to see him in shorts.

Part Fawlty Towers farce, though with more gross gags (and also a softer heart), The Brittas Empire's cast of characters - the receptionist whose children live in her office cupboard, the adulterous manic-depressive wife, and the pool attendant with pus-ridden sores for every occasion - are well worth revisiting. Just don't expect to see your local leisure centre in quite the same way again.

You can buy the Brittas Empire double-disc DVD from the Red Dwarf shop right now.