Clarence (UK TV series) Clarence (UK TV series) Clarence is a 1988 BBC situation comedy starring Ronnie Barker and Josephine Tewson, written by Ronnie Barker under the pseudonym "Bob Ferris" as an acknowledgement to Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, creators of "Porridge". It was Barker's final sitcom appearance before his retirement. Barker had previously faced some criticism over his employment of a stammer for comedic effect in "Open All Hours". However, the slapstick potential of a short-sighted furniture shifter must have seemed irresistible. The series was inspired by "The Removals Person" by Hugh Leonard, an episode in the 1971 LWT comedy anthology series,
David Jason panel games such as "The Impressionists" as well as his own series, "The Jason Explanation". In the early 1970s, he appeared in "Mostly Monkhouse". Jason appeared in variety shows in support of stars such as Dick Emery and his performances caught the attention of Ronnie Barker. Jason was recruited to appear in "Hark at Barker" (LWT, 1969), starring opposite Barker’s Lord Rustless, as Dithers, the hundred-year old gardener. There was also a sequel, "His Lordship Entertains" (1972) for the BBC. Jason played junior employee Granville in the first programme of the comedy anthology "Seven of One" (1973), called "Open All