And his Dad’s Army colleague Corporal Jones is still fighting – just “to stay alive” at 88, he jokes.

Otherwise it was as you were when survivors of the TV comedy classic fell in yesterday to mark its 40th anniversary.

Eight of the show’s old soldiers, plus writers and producers, celebrated at the Imperial War Museum in south London.

Ian Lavender – the hapless Pike – used the occasion to hit out at the state of current tv. He said the show was constantly repeated “because they’re not making programmes for the whole family to watch” anymore.

Despite his joke about staying alive, Clive Dunn, aka Corporal Jones, is fighting fit.

He was joined at the reunion by Bill Pertwee, 81, who played Warden William Hodges; Frank Williams (Rev Farthing), Eric Longworth (Town Clerk) and other cast members.

Writers and cast of the TV series Dad's Army at a reunion at the Imperial War Museum

Writers David Croft and Jimmy Perry and producer Harold Snoad were also there, and forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, 92, was a surprise guest.

Two of the show’s leading stars, Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring) and John Le Mesurier (Sgt Wilson) died in the 1980s.