ONE of the last surviving cast members of comedy classic Dad's Army lifts the lid on what went on behind the scenes when he comes to Clacton next week.

Ian Lavender became a household name playing Private Frank Pike – the stroppy, scarf-wearing teenager, who found himself in Captain Mainwaring's inept Home Guard platoon.

He was just 22 when Dad's Army first aired in 1968 and went on to star in all 80 episodes before the show finally ended in 1977.

Audiences of more than 18million watched Mainwaring's withering putdowns as hapless "stupid boy" Pike repeatedly put his foot in it.

The platoon's exploits are still being shown on TV all over the world and this year saw the release new Dad’s Army film, based on the original sitcom by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Ian played a brigadier, so finally got to turn the tables on his former commander in Walmington-on-Sea.

Almost 40 years after the original series ended, Ian and Frank Williams, who played the vicar, are the only surviving cast members.

Ian, now aged 70, is special guest of Clacton Arts and Literary Society, where he is in conversation with writer and broadcaster Chris Serle, and serving up a generous helping of brilliantly funny anecdotes about the making of Dad's Army, at rehearsals, in the studio and on location with his fellow blundering volunteer soldiers.

The evening includes some of the most memorable clips from the 80 broadcast episodes – including the timeless "Don't tell him, Pike" gag that gives the show its name.

Don't Tell Him, Pike is at Clacton's Princes Theatre on Monday, October 31, at 7.30pm. Tickets go on sale on the door to non-members at 7.15pm, priced £10.