91Èȱ¬

To mark twenty years since the iconic series last appeared on our screens, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide, the commercial arm of the 91Èȱ¬ has today announced that the entire series of Blackadder is available to download from the iTunes Store () for the first time ever. 

In addition 91Èȱ¬ Audiobooks has launched The Complete Collected CD series.

Baldrick actor Tony Robinson commented on the new release, "The words 'I have a cunning plan' have forever haunted me since the making of Blackadder but I’m glad that lines like that amongst others, continue to be remembered with such fondness by fans of the show years after it was made.

The fact that Blackadder is now in these fantastic new formats is a real tribute to the longevity of this classic British comedy and its ongoing appeal to audiences both old and new."

The ingenious four series of Blackadder, written by award-winning comic writer Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson and later Ben Elton first appeared on our screens in 1983 and became one of the most memorable comedies in British history with lines and put-downs that would trigger laughter for years to come. 

Each series of Blackadder is set in a different historical period with Rowan Atkinson as the sharp-tongued, droll and conniving anti-hero Edmund Blackadder, and Tony Robinson as his none-too-bright, turnip-loving dogsbody, Baldrick. Each episode sees the duo fumbling their way through tricky situations alongside other eccentric characters played by actors including Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson and Rik Mayall. 

Fans can now download series 1-4 or a single episode from iTunes and play them back on any compatible device such as a computer, iPhone or iPod giving them the flexibility to enjoy classic moments from any series at any time and in any place.  

In December, the Christmas special ‘A Christmas Carol’ will also be made available in time for the festive season. 

In addition, the Complete Collected CD series will be made available from 91Èȱ¬ Audiobooks with 3 hours of specials and extras including previously unreleased material and CD narration by different cast members of the show.   

A new survey that polled 1,900 people on the Radio Times website, revealed that besides Blackadder and Baldrick, Queenie is the most loved character amongst fans whilst Stephen Fry won the vote of favourite actor.

Blackadder Goes Forth was voted as the top series and the bittersweet episode Goodbyeee, which sees Blackadder and his troops go over the trenches into battle at the end was voted the most popular episode of all four series. 

Votes also showed that fans would most like to see another series filmed in either the Victorian era or the 1960s.

The most popular Blackadder putdown was:

Baldrick:  But my Lord, I’ve been with your family since 1582

Blackadder:  So has syphilis, now get out!

In 2000, Blackadder Goes Forth, the fourth and final series, was ranked in the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes, a list created by the British Film Institute. 

In 2004, a TV poll found the Blackadder to be the second best British sitcom of all time, topped by Only Fools and Horses.

Amy Broomfield