Educating Archie
I suspect just maybe a few drinks passed mouths before they alighted upon this concept.
'Educating Archie' was a much-loved BBC Comedy show which ran from 1950 to 1958. The programme was probably the most unlikely radio success story ever, given it starred a ventriloquist and his doll.
Peter Brough was in charge. The doll was called Archie. Punters loved it: the fan club had a quarter of a million members; and audiences were said to be around 15 million.
Familiar names starring in the show included: Tony Hancock, Benny Hill, Harry Secombe, Dick Emery - and Max Bygraves - who released records inspired by the show.