Blackadder commemorated with special stamps for 40th anniversary

Royal Mail have announced the launch of 12 special stamps marking the 40th anniversary of Blackadder.

The classic 1980s sitcom – which covers different periods of history over the course of four series – ran from 1983 to 1989, with specials cropping up over recent years, including for Comic Relief just months ago.

Launched by writer and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis and Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson – alongside BBC producer John Lloyd and co-author Ben Elton – the series went on to win an International Emmy Award.

From the mists of medieval England to the court of Queen Elizabeth I, spanning through to the glamourous Georgian era and the grim trenches of the First World War, the stamps pay tribute to one of the pillars of British comedy.

The eight stamps in the main set capture moments spanning four series of the classic British sitcom and feature some of the show’s best-loved characters, played by familiar names including Sir Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Brian Blessed, and the late Patsy Byrne.

In addition a further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, celebrate the main character, Edmund Blackadder, played by Rowan, in his various guises over each of the four series of the classic sitcom.

Richard said: ‘We’re very amused and delighted. It’s a great relief for Blackadder to have his head on a stamp, instead of on a stake.”

Producer John added: ‘The entire team behind Britain’s leading situation tragedy is deeply honoured by Royal Mail’s magnificent stamps of approval.

‘In the words of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, VC KCB: “Let’s give them a damn good licking!”‘

The first episodes of the show, written by university friends Curtis and Atkinson, were set in the 15th century during the fictional reign of King Richard IV.

Blackadder II jumped forward in time to follow the shifting fortunes of Lord Edmund Blackadder, an ambitious courtier to the giddy young Queen Elizabeth I, while the third instalment was set in the early 19th century during the Regency of the impressively-trousered royal heir, Prince George.

It followed the adventures of crafty butler Mr E Blackadder, who spends his days tormenting his lice-infested minion Baldrick and cooking up cunning plans to improve his social standing.

The final series, Blackadder Goes Forth, was set in the First World War, where Captain Blackadder and his fellow soldiers in the trenches try every trick in the book to evade the inevitable order to go ‘over the top’.

David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: ‘The epic saga of Blackadder spans six centuries of British history and four decades of British television and is still loved and revered by audiences old and new.

‘We are delighted to mark the 40th anniversary of Blackadder with a set of special stamps.’

This comes after Sir Tony teased a Blackadder anniversary special for the 40th year plans.

Speaking on ITVs Lorraine earlier this month, he told stand-in host Christine Lampard: ‘All I’m gonna say is…everybody likes to celebrate a 40th anniversary, so there must be some fresh way we can celebrate our 40th birthday, wouldn’t you think?’

Sir Tony went on to recall a time when Prince William told him he would take part in the show and admitted he will never get bored of hearing about the programme because it ‘transformed his life’ and made him a star in his late 30s.

‘This is absolutely true. You know how showbiz people make up stories? This is really true. 

‘When I was being knighted by Prince William, almost 10 years ago, I was down on my knees, he brings the old sword down and he said: “I am such a fan of Blackadder” and I said to him: “Would you be on it?”

‘He said: “Yeah, if you asked me”. So in other words, I was casting whilst I was knighting!’

The star continued: ‘It’s lovely really, it never palls because it just transformed my life.’