The BBC Presents Sherlock Holmes

The Hobbs and Shelley version, 1952-1969 (with 1983 repeats). Carleton Hobbs as Holmes and Norman Shelley as Watson are the BBC's longest-running Holmes duo, first heard 15 October 1952 on the children's series THE BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR PROGRAMME (17 Holmes plays, scripts by Felix Felton). Their first 'adult' Holmes show was 3 January 1953 (Gillette/Doyle play, repeated Jan 8). Hobbs and Shelley were BBC radio's Holmes and Watson until 1969, with two exceptions: a 5-part 'The Sign of Four' with Richard Hurndall and Bryan Coleman (16 May-13 June 1959), and 'The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes' (19 Dec 1963, Alan Wheatley/James McKechnie). Michael Hardwick adapted nearly all the shows except the 1958 6-part 'Hounds' series (adapted by Felix Felton). Their last live performance as Holmes and Watson was 'His Last Bow' on 10 July 1969; the BBC later repeated some shows, aired some on the World Service, offered some via transcription and sold some on tape.