Griff Rhys Jones 'honoured' by Yes, Minister role

Griff Rhys Jones has entertained the nation for five decades.

He is best-known for his comedy sketches as a regular on Not The Nine O'Clock News and the iconic series Alas Smith and Jones.

But now Cardiff-born Rhys Jones will step into the shoes of beloved character Jim Hacker as I'm Sorry, Prime Minister heads to the West End.

"The great TV series, and latterly the plays, are part of my architecture of British comedy," said Rhys Jones.

Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, ran from 1980 to 1988.

Set in the private office of a British cabinet minister in the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in Whitehall, the show follows the ministerial career of Hacker, played by Paul Eddington.

Rhys Jones said he was "delighted and honoured" to be taking on the role for the "final, funny and poignant episode of [Hacker's] long career".

"They have always been the first and last word on the shenanigans that we call politics.

"Sorry, Prime Minister is as acute and apposite as ever. It will be a hoot," he said.

Speaking on his love of the show, Rhys Jones said Yes, Minister had the basis of a great play, especially a comedy.

"It is one of the greatest comic inventions of the last 50 years. It manages to be human and satirical, and full of character, charm and insight.

"You never left an episode without going 'oh that's really fascinating'," he said.

The stage adaptation of Yes, Prime Minister premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010.

The final chapter of the series, I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, will head to the West End next year following runs at The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, Theatre Royal in Bath and Cambridge Arts Theatre.

"The great thing about this play was I read it and it made me laugh. The truth is, I love being onstage and making people laugh. It's a joy to do," he said.

I'm Sorry, Prime Minister follows Hacker as he hopes for a quiet retirement from government as the master of Hacker College, Oxford.

Instead he finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee.

Enter Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Clive Francis, who has lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction.

While rehearsals for the play start in January 2026, Rhys Jones said he had started thinking of inspiration for the role.

"I have been studying older people and prime ministers that date from that period because I don't want to try and do an imitation of Paul Eddington.

"But there's a little of John Major and there's little bit of David Cameron.

"There's a little bit of everybody in there."