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,
Ronnie Barker a cat lover. In 1964 he appeared in Galton & Simpson's gentle comedy, "The Bargee," as "Ronnie", the illiterate cousin of Harry H Corbett's rascally "Hemmel Pike." He did his first bit of on-screen 'porridge' as fellow convict to Charlie Drake in "The Cracksman" (1963). Other film work at that time included: "Doctor in Distress" (1963), "Father Came Too!" (1963) and "A Home of Your Own" (1965). In 1966, Barker got his break with the satirical sketch series "The Frost Report", having been recommended for the show by producer James Gilbert. The show starred David Frost, John Cleese and Barker's