Dear John....

When John Lacey (the wonderful Ralph Bates) finds a letter from his wife announcing she's leaving him, he signs up to a singles club to try to find the next 'someone special'.

John's adventures and the hilarious supporting characters (sex-mad Louise, played by Rachel Bell; medallion man Kirk, played by Peter Blake; weedy Ralph ('Rafe'), played by Peter Denyer; and flighty Kate, played by Belinda Lang), made this short series a must-watch, although it has only been given one re-run on the BBC since.

Ralph Bates played John as an vulnerable, accident-prone, bumbler who gets very little right in his life. His landlady Mrs Lemenski (Irene Prador) is a thorn in his side, and his son (played by Bates's real-life son) is at that difficult age where he's asking questions and up to all sorts. Watching all this is great fun and I prefer this comedy to others of John Sullivan's such as 'Only Fools and Horses'.

The late great John Sullivan was one of the finest comedy writers this country has ever produced, and whilst his other shows Fools and horse's and Just Good Friends get repeat airings this gem from the mid 80s hardly gets a look in. Which is a real shame as it's every bit as funny as those shows. Maybe the idea of a divorced and singles club isn't relevant today in a world of internet dating and Tinder. The characters are terrific each with there own individual relationship issue with Ralph Bates(John) the only sane one amongst them. Full of very funny set pieces and some great one liners from Sullivan Dear John is a minor classic which deserves more exposure.

One of my favourite comedies of all time. It's nearly as good as 'Only Fools And Horses'(1981)...but not quite :-) OFAH was also written by Londoner John Sullivan. 'Dear John' is a very laid back comedy centering around divorcee John Lacey (Ralph Bates), a school teacher who joins the 1-2-1 club for divorced and separated people. There's some great characters such as macho man Kirk St.Moritz, Kate, Mrs. Arnott and the unforgettable Ralph Dring (played excellently by Peter Denyer). The club is run by the posh and snooty Louise Williams..."Were there any sexual problems?" The sitcom revolved around different people's experiences and problems being talked about at the club and the funny things that happen in life. It's a lovely sitcom and if you can get the video it's money well spent for good, clean British humour. **** out of *****

John Sullivan was one of the best comedy writers that Britain has ever produced and while this sitcom doesn't get as fondly remembered as perhaps Just Good Friends or Only Fools and Horses it is a fine sitcom and produces more laughs per episode than anything on television today.

It has charm, it has genuine warmth and actors who play their roles to perfection with Ralph Bates being at the centre of this as the unlucky but nice John Lacey. Sullivan writes characters like the meek yet hilarious Ralph with such skill while making others like the ridiculous Kirk seem so real.

From catchphrases to a rich sense of pathos this show has it all and if you are a fan of John Sullivan's other works then this is one well worth searching for on DVD.

Alongside the over-rated and welcome-outstaying Only Fools & Horses, John Sullivan wrote this little beauty. It only ran for two years, in my early teens, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. Rewatching it on VHS recently has been such a treat.

Pathos. Bittersweet. These are some of the best words to describe the rather cynical and negative look at love that is presented here. Poor old John: living in a vile flat, paying for his ex-wife's nice house and the ex-wife's boyfriend's new car. Unfulfilled at work. Desperate for excitement. The "One 2 One Club" is a club for divorcées, singles and lonely-hearts, and the complex personalities who attend, week-in week-out, become the stars of the show. Some very understated performances and some startlingly heart-rending moments give Dear John a real element of ordinariness that OF&H lacks.

Louise's catchphrase, "were there any sexual problems?", as she leans in for a bit of gossip. Ralph's bizarre Polish ex-wife and his curious mode of transport. The OTT Kirk, who hides a truly shocking secret. The Ice Maiden "Frigid Brigid" (wonderfully played by Belinda Lang), whose determination to remain single raises many questions about why she attends the club. Mrs Arnott, who rarely says anything. The terribly cackling woman whose nerves always get the better of her. These people, mostly, seen very real: again something lacking in OF&H.

Best moment? When John is offered the chance to spend Christmas with his ex-wife. Something he has been dreaming of for weeks. Until Mrs Lemenski, the angry next-door neighbour, gives him a better offer. Marvellous stuff. Truly believable, and very much worth tracking down on VHS (it's out there somewhere!).