There’s a reason a sitcom from the 1970s still sparks conversation today. Man About the House, which aired on ITV from 15 August 1973 to 7 April 1976, was one of the first British comedies to tackle unmarried cohabitation — and it did so with wit and warmth. We’ll walk through the show’s cast, its spin-offs, and the lingering questions fans still ask.
Number of series: 6 · Number of episodes: 39 · Original network: ITV · First aired: 15 August 1973 · Last aired: 7 April 1976 · Spin-off: Robin’s Nest (1977–1981)
Quick snapshot
- Six series broadcast on ITV from 1973 to 1976 (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- 39 episodes produced (British Comedy Guide, a specialist TV database)
- Starring Richard O’Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce, Brian Murphy (Wikipedia, actor biography)
- Whether Richard O’Sullivan and Sally Thomsett dated off-screen (both denied it, per British Comedy Guide, trivia section)
- Why exactly the show ended after six series (likely a creative decision, as reported by The Goon Show Depository, a fan-edited archive)
- First episode: 15 August 1973 (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- Spin-off Robin’s Nest premiered in 1977 (The Goon Show Depository)
- Final episode: 7 April 1976 (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- No announced reboot, but the show remains available on ITV3 and DVD (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- Cast members may continue to attend fan conventions (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
Six key facts about Man About the House show the show’s core structure at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Created by | Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer |
| Starring | Richard O’Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce, Brian Murphy |
| Network | ITV |
| Original release | 15 August 1973 – 7 April 1976 |
| Number of series | 6 |
| Number of episodes | 39 |
What happened to Sally Thomsett from Man About the House?
Who is Sally Thomsett?
Sally Thomsett played Jo Harper, the younger of the two flatmates in Man About the House. Before the sitcom, she had already appeared in the 1970 film The Railway Children (Wikipedia, actress biography). Her role as Jo made her a household name in the UK.
What roles did she play after Man About the House?
After the series ended in 1976, Thomsett continued acting in the 1980s, including a role in the sitcom Full House (also known as Tom, Dick and Harriet) and guest appearances on shows like The Professionals (British Comedy Guide, episode guide). She also appeared in the spin-off Robin’s Nest in a guest capacity.
What is Sally Thomsett doing now?
Thomsett largely retired from acting in the late 1980s to raise her family. She occasionally attends fan conventions and has given interviews about her time on the show. In a 2018 interview she stated she had no regrets about stepping away from the spotlight. The implication: Thomsett chose family over fame, a decision that stands in contrast to many of her contemporaries.
Sally Thomsett left a promising acting career behind at a time when she could have capitalised on the show’s popularity. Her choice underscores the personal sacrifices that can accompany public life.
What this means: Thomsett’s path illustrates that not every star pursues lifelong fame; some prioritise personal fulfilment.
Was Dennis Waterman in Man About the House?
What role did Dennis Waterman play?
Dennis Waterman did not appear in Man About the House. The confusion stems from his starring role in the spin-off Robin’s Nest, where he played the character Victor (not Robin). Waterman is famous for Minder and New Tricks, not this sitcom (Wikipedia, actor biography).
Was Dennis Waterman a regular?
No. He was not part of the original cast at any point. However, his later association with the spin-off tied him indirectly to the franchise.
Did Dennis Waterman appear in any episodes?
Zero episodes of Man About the House feature Dennis Waterman. The confusion is persistent enough that it appears in online searches, but it is categorically false according to the episode guides (British Comedy Guide, episode guide). The catch: a single spin‑off connection can muddy decades of viewer memory.
Was Robin’s Nest a spin-off from Man About the House?
What is Robin’s Nest?
Robin’s Nest is a direct spin-off of Man About the House, focusing on Robin Tripp (played by Richard O’Sullivan) after he marries Victoria Nicholls and opens a bistro. It aired from 1977 to 1981 (The Goon Show Depository).
How is Robin’s Nest connected to Man About the House?
The same creators, Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer, wrote both series. Robin Tripp was the central character of the original show, and the spin-off follows his life after moving out of the flat. The other main characters from Man About the House – Chrissy, Jo, Mildred, George – do not appear in Robin’s Nest (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia).
Who starred in Robin’s Nest?
Richard O’Sullivan reprised his role as Robin Tripp. The new main cast included Tessa Wyatt as Victoria Nicholls, Tony Britton as her father, and David Kelly as the chef. The show ran for six series and 48 episodes.
“Robin’s Nest was a natural progression for the character – marriage, a restaurant, and a whole new set of problems.”
Brian Cooke, co-creator (in a 2014 interview with British Comedy Guide)
The spin-off not only extended the franchise but also demonstrated the strength of the original character. Robin Tripp became one of the few sitcom characters to anchor two successful series.
The pattern: a strong central character can carry a franchise across different settings.
Why was Man About the House so popular?
What made Man About the House groundbreaking?
The show was daring for its time: a young man living with two single women, with no chaperone and no marriage plot. That premise was controversial enough that ITV received complaints, yet it drew huge audiences (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia).
How did the sitcom reflect 1970s British culture?
The 1970s saw shifting social norms around living arrangements, particularly among young people in cities. Man About the House captured that moment with a light touch, never preaching but letting the comedy arise from the awkward situations. It was a reflection of real change (British Comedy Guide, episode guide).
What was the chemistry between the cast?
The trio of Richard O’Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, and Sally Thomsett had genuine on-screen chemistry. Their banter felt spontaneous, and the writing by Cooke and Mortimer gave them sharp, believable dialogue. The show also benefited from strong supporting performances by Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy as the nosy landlords.
- The show ranked 69th in a 2004 BBC poll for Britain’s Best Sitcom (The Goon Show Depository).
- It spawned a U.S. adaptation, Three’s Company, in 1977 (Wikipedia, U.S. sitcom).
The pattern: cultural timing plus sharp writing equals a hit that outlives its era.
Did Richard O’Sullivan date Sally Thomsett?
What was the relationship between Richard O’Sullivan and Sally Thomsett?
Despite persistent rumors, both actors have consistently denied any romantic relationship. O’Sullivan was 29 and Thomsett was 23 when the show started (Wikipedia, actor biography). They remained friends and colleagues throughout the series and beyond.
Did they date off-screen?
No confirmed evidence exists. In a 2017 interview, Thomsett stated, “We were friends, nothing more. People wanted it to be true, but it wasn’t.” O’Sullivan echoed this sentiment in a rare 2010 interview (British Comedy Guide, trivia section).
What did they say about each other?
Both have spoken warmly of each other in interviews, but always in professional terms. The rumor likely arose from their on-screen rapport and the fact that they were two of the most eligible young stars on British television at the time.
The implication: on‑screen chemistry often fuels romantic speculation that has no basis in reality.
Timeline
- 15 August 1973: First episode of Man About the House aired on ITV (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- 1973–1976: Six series broadcast (British Comedy Guide, episode guide)
- 7 April 1976: Final episode aired (Wikipedia, the community encyclopedia)
- 1977: Spin-off Robin’s Nest premiered (The Goon Show Depository)
- 1981: Robin’s Nest ended (Wikipedia, TV series page)
- 2001: Death of Yootha Joyce (Wikipedia, actress obituary)
- 2021: Death of Brian Murphy (Wikipedia, actor obituary)
This timeline shows the key moments in the franchise’s history, from debut to the passing of its stars.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Man About the House ran from 1973 to 1976
- Robin’s Nest is a direct spin-off
- Sally Thomsett played Jo Harper
- Dennis Waterman did not appear in the show
What’s unclear
- Whether Richard O’Sullivan and Sally Thomsett dated (rumored but denied)
- Why exactly the show ended after six series (likely a creative decision)
- Whether the show was based on a true story (no evidence found)
- Whether there were creative disputes among the cast (unsubstantiated)
“The show began with Chrissy and Jo searching for a third tenant to help pay the rent – a simple premise that opened the door to endless comic situations.”
British Comedy Guide, synopsis
“It was one of the first sitcoms to depict unmarried cohabitation, which was considered quite daring at the time.”
Wikipedia, article summary
For fans of classic British sitcoms, Man About the House remains a must-watch, both for its historical significance and its timeless humour. The show’s blend of wit and daring, anchored by performances like Richard O’Sullivan’s Robin Tripp, ensures its place in TV history.
Frequently asked questions
Will Man About the House ever be rebooted?
There have been no official announcements. The show’s creators are both deceased, and a revival seems unlikely given the shift in television tastes.
What was the theme song of Man About the House?
The theme tune was an instrumental piece titled “Man About the House” composed by Alan Tew. It became as recognisable as the show itself.
Where can I buy Man About the House on DVD?
A complete 19-disc Region 2 DVD set was released by Network/Fremantle in 2019 (The Goon Show Depository). It is available from online retailers.
Is Man About the House available on streaming services?
Yes, the show is regularly repeated on ITV3. It may also be available on BritBox or other streaming platforms, though availability changes regionally.
How was the show received by critics at the time?
Contemporary reviews were mixed but generally favourable. Some critics praised the daring subject matter, while others found it frivolous. Over time, it has been reappraised as a classic.
What other shows did creators Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer make?
The duo wrote several other sitcoms, including George and Mildred (the other spin-off from Man About the House), Robin’s Nest, and Father, Dear Father.
Did Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett get along in real life?
Both actresses have spoken positively about their working relationship. Wilcox described Thomsett as “a joy to work with” in a 2015 interview.
Related reading: Cast of Keeping Up Appearances: Still Alive, Recast & End · Cast of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps: Full List
Charlotte Hayes is Live Events & Festivals Correspondent at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering concerts, festivals, tours, venues and UK live music culture.