Are You Being Served? the first series on 14 March 1973. Although the first series was aired in the same timeslot as "Coronation Street" on ITV, consequently receiving relatively little attention, the repeats shown later in the year were much more successful. The show became a ratings hit, and after a successful 13-year run, "Are You Being Served?" came to an end on 1 April 1985. Of the original cast, only Frank Thornton, Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Wendy Richard and Nicholas Smith appeared in all 69 episodes of the programme's 13-year run; these five later featured in the sequel sitcom, "Grace & Favour" (also
Are You Being Served? act calling itself "Grace Brothers", and featured vocal samples of John Inman and Frank Thornton. There is a homage to the theme song in the Ladytron song "Paco!" from the album "604", and New Zealand band Minuit's "I hate guns". A lugubrious version of the theme song is featured on the album "The Ape of Naples" by the experimental music group Coil. The theme song has also been covered by Australian band Regurgitator on their 1999 album "...art". Pop singer Jamelia's song "Window Shopping" (from her 2006 album "Walk with Me") begins with a sample of the familiar cash register