in to complete the script, but the two men did not work together. Charles Hawtrey pulled out of the special at short notice. Having taken third billing to Sid James and Terry Scott in the previous two shows, and knowing they would both be absent, Hawtrey demanded top billing. But Carry On producer Peter Rogers refused, giving top billing to Hattie Jacques instead. Hawtrey's role had hastily to be recast, and was split between Norman Rossington and Brian Oulton, both of whom had played cameo roles in several Carry On films. The special featured a collection of historical sketches, loosely linked around an 18th-century banquet. It included a performance of two madrigals originally written for Carry On Henry. The songs reappeared in the 1973 stage show Carry On London. Cast Carry on Christmas (1973) Description For the final original Christmas special, writer Talbot Rothwell returned, as did Sid James. In a modern-day setting, it features Sid James as a department store Father Christmas, whose out-of-character behaviour puts him at odds with the store manager. James also introduces sketches set in Christmases past, and a "Carry On" ballet performance. Cast Carry on Laughing's Christmas Classics (1983) Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor introduce some of the funniest moments from the later Carry On films, in a format very similar to the film That's Carry On!. DVD release In 2005, the first four specials were released on DVD, featuring interviews with series producer Peter Rogers and stars Jack Douglas and Wendy Richard. References External links Carry On Films at The Whippit Inn Carry On Line: Official Website of the Carry On films Carry On (franchise) Christmas television specials ITV sitcoms English-language television shows Television shows produced by Thames Television Television shows based on A Christmas Carol