Basically, despite the excitement and expectation, Time Team found a number of field boundary walls and some pottery, but not bones, burnt wood or evidence of housing. They were also given access to a centuries-old map which clearly shows that if there was a settlement, it didn't exist by 1766. There was evidence of Medieval activity in the location of the present village but not too much going on in the surrounding fields, side for agriculture. Bitterley played an active role in the Medieval era but who knows if the village was once a much larger town. Tom: I think I had like five auditions, the last of which was a chemistry read with Simon, which I left thinking was a disaster on account of us having terrible chemistry. I was very fortunate to be an incredibly annoying person with a face very similar to Tamsin Greig.

Simon: Robert [writer Robert Popper] asked me to read the script, and I was just embarrassingly enthusiastic. Robert had created one of my favourite comedy shows of all time, Look Around You, and I was, and still am, a flustered red-faced fanboy around him. It is, therefore, very possible that there's an abandoned ghost town buried under or to the east of Bitterley, and the local theory proposed during the Time Team episode was that residents abandoned the old village because of the plague. And this brings us to the final, and perhaps most realistic theory as to what lies beneath the fields of Bitterley.

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He had a depressive temperament, ill health and no money; while being, as one of his close friends said to me once, a man of “blinding charm” and hilarity. The charm communicated itself to millions of television viewers who watched enthralled as he mused on decaying seaside towns or laughed at the music hall, or drew our eye towards the wonders of Gothic. He raised telly to the level of an art form. I can’t do that, but I have tried to give the great man his just homage in a programme for BBC4, coming out later this summer, called Betjemanland. The Fox. Or the bag up a tree. Or the conversation spindle. Or pineapples and the government. I dunno this is what IMDB is for. A dark day indeed when we lose the comedy greats. It is a great shame to lose Paul Ritter, and beyond his roles in The Limehouse Golem and Chernobyl , he will, inevitably, be remembered for his work on Friday Night Dinner . Infectious, light fun that gives as good as it takes. It is how Robert Popper, writer of every episode, crafts these stories and similar tones that we must cherish. That is the aim of Friday Night Dinner: 10 Years and a Lovely Bit of Squirrel , an initially earnest documentary trying to understand the love of the show that turns into a puff-piece feature set on showcasing the basic notes of a show that some may, somehow, be unaware of.

Much of the land would have been used for agricultural purposes and over time the way the locals used the land may have changed. Things like technological advancement or a change of agricultural direction could easily prompt the moving of a village. Sadly, there's not much evidence that this happened either. It is three decades since the death of John Betjeman – Poet Laureate, campaigner for the salvation of old architecture, and broadcaster of genius. To my mind, he was the greatest Englishman of his generation. He spoke for his country, more than any politician or journalistic wiseacre. And, unlike most public figures, he still survives. Wessex Archaeology analysed the Time Team investigation and said that while pottery dating to the 12th to 13th centuries was recovered, "the geophysical and topographical surveys and the evaluation trenches targeted upon supposed area of the deserted Medieval village identified no traces of an abandoned Medieval settlement." Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate from 1972, died aged 77 on May 19, 1984. He was a hero and prophet. His matchless lyricism and love of the past went to the heart of what it means to be English, says AN Wilson. This article was originally published in 2014. Robert [Popper] asked me to read the script, and I was just embarrassingly enthusiastic. Robert had created one of my favourite comedy shows of all time, Look Around You, and I was, and still am, a flustered red-faced fanboy around him.This verb perfectly describes the clumsy and invariably futile attempt to mend a broken item. For example, if the tape has come off the handlebars on your bike, don’t go to a professional bike repair shop and pay through the nose for the application of expensive “bike tape” by a man who knows what he’s doing — perish the thought! Instead, grab some cheap sellotape from the newsagent’s and affix it to your handlebars yourself! Who cares if the end bits continue to flap in the wind? You’ve just perfected the British art of “bodging it,” and that’s far more important right now. Time Team producers knew about the folklore when they turned up in Shropshire with a big crew and a digger or two. There was apparently such local interest in the project that the whole village, including children, was keen to give them a hand. I can no longer hear anyone say 'lips' without thinking it is Frances Cuka mishearing the name Liz.

Simon: It's an embarrassment of riches obviously, but I particularly like the episodes where Dad takes centre stage and Paul is let off the leash. The Fox, The Tin of Meat, The Plastic Bag all spring to mind. The summary added that "all remains identified were agricultural in origin and probably belonged to the post-Medieval period." Another theory is that one historical owner of the aforementioned "imposing stately home" may well have had his beautiful view obscured by peasant hovels, and removed them when it was appropriate to do so. Landowners behaving in this way was not uncommon, but there's absolutely no evidence this happened in Bitterley. A photo of Bitterley Court.

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Wessex Archaeology wrote: "It is possible that Medieval structures may still survive in this area¸ sealed below the post-Medieval remains. As well as being wonderful poems in themselves, these are immortal snapshots of our land. A Maltese friend of mine came here more than 30 years ago and was having difficulty coming to grips with Britain and its strange ways. “Read Betjeman,” said his employer. “Then you’ll understand us.” Simon: The Christmas special was great. Partly because there was something impudent about making a Jewish Christmas special. But mainly because it was the only time the whole gang, including Grandmas, both Horrible and Nice, were in the house together. It felt like a real family Christmas. Ahead of the launch of Friday Night Dinner: Ten Years and a Lovely Bit of Squirrel the stars of Robert Popper’s beloved sitcom, Tom Rosenthal (Jonny) and Simon Bird (Adam), share some of their best bits… Spend more than five minutes around any British woman over the age of 40, and you are very likely to hear the word “lovely.” This extremely popular word conveys a feeling of affection or approval on behalf of the speaker towards an object or person, and it’s perhaps best summed up in the phrase, “that’s a lovely cup of tea.” However, the word is more popular amongst older generations, and even more so amongst older women. For instance, the following exchange is definitely happening right now on the streets of Oxford:

Ahead of the broadcast of Friday Night Dinner: Ten Years And A Lovely Bit of Squirrel, Tom Rosenthal (who plays Jonny) and Simon Bird (Adam) share some of their best bits... A village that doesn't have a pub," said one of the show's most popular characters, Phil Harding. "What sort of a village is this?" Friday Night Dinner. Image shows from L to R: Jonny (Tom Rosenthal), Martin (Paul Ritter), Adam (Simon Bird)Everyone knows that Brits love tea, but nothing can prepare you for the ferocity of their addiction to the drink. Tea is more than a beverage. It’s a way of life. Whether you’re at work, visiting friends or simply spending a relaxing day at home, if a British person is around, it won’t take long until you’re posed the question: “Fancy a cuppa?” The Christmas special was great. Partly because there was something impudent about making a Jewish Christmas special. But mainly because it was the only time the whole gang, including Grandmas, both Horrible and Nice, were in the house together. It felt like a real family Christmas. One, more jokey theory made during the Time Team episode at the end of day one, when the crew fancied a pint, was that the old village was abandoned because Bitterley doesn't have a pub. The act of brewing and drinking tea brings British people together, and they like nothing more than to pop the kettle on and enjoy a nice “cuppa” (a cup of) tea while putting the world to rights or sharing some juicy gossip. Brits like to think that tea possesses magical qualities that can help solve any problem. No matter how grave the situation, anything can be conquered with a cup of tea in hand! 2. Alright? This one isn’t just confusing for non-native English speakers — it regularly trips up Americans too! In American English “to be pissed” means to be extremely angry about something. In British English, the phrase is used to describe the feeling of having had a few too many lagers down the pub, and the resulting struggle to walk in a straight line. 9. Lovely