intergalactic TV transmission, during the Rub A Dub sketches and in other roles. Format Although mainly a sketch comedy show, the dance troupe Danserious also performed short routines throughout the first series with longer routines to entire songs in series two. In series 3, the dance sections were replaced with studio performances from a different musical act each week including The Real Thing, Ruby Turner & Junior, Mica Paris and Macka B. From Series 4, the music acts were replaced with stand-up routines from guests such as Junior Simpson, Toju, John Simmit and Angie Le Mar. In series 5, Richard Blackwood, Rudi Lickwood and Ian Edwards were amongst the stand-up guests. Episodes Most appearances Excluding the four broadcast clip show episodes and the two VHS clip show episodes. 30 episodes (all regular episodes) Robbie Gee Leo Chester 29 episodes Llewella Gideon 25 episodes Meera Syal 18 episodes Eddie Nestor Judith Jacob Felix Dexter Kulvinder Ghir 12 episodes Curtis Walker Ishmael Thomas Collette Johnson 9 episodes Perry Benson 6 episodes Leon Black 5 episodes Maureen Hibbert Reception The show was very successful, quickly becoming a cult hit and reaching audiences of 5 million. Its popularity attracted many famous guests. In series 2, John Virgo made a cameo in a snooker-themed sketch. From series 3, a recurring sketch was an EastEnders spoof called The Rub-A-Dub in which celebrities Linford Christie, Andi Peters (with Edd the Duck), Colin McMillan, Mica Paris, Tessa Sanderson, Norman Beaton appeared as themselves. In series 4, guests in the segment were Frank Bruno, Saracen from Gladiators, Ian Wright, Carmen Munroe, Omar and Lennox Lewis. In series 5, John Barnes, Saeed Jaffrey, Lisa I'Anson, Jazzie B, Maxi Priest and Judy Simpson appeared in the segment. In December 1994, a short special aired as part of Fry and Laurie Host A Christmas Night with the Stars. In November 1995, a 4-part clip show series aired called The Best of the Real McCoy. Legacy Following the show's success, Felix Dexter was given his own pilot sketch show Felix Dexter on TV, as part of the Comic Asides series of pilots, which was broadcast on BBC Two in September 1995. Dexter also wrote and starred in the sitcom pilot Douglas broadcast on BBC Two in August 1996, based around his lawyer character from The Real McCoy. Neither pilot was picked up for a full series, despite positive reception. Douglas was repeated on