It was produced by Associated-Rediffusion Television as vehicle for Sid James, who had made his name as the sidekick in Hancock's Half Hour.
It was only with his starring roles in the Carry On films that he was able to move out of Hancock's shadow.
[1] James was poached from the BBC to make the show.
[2] The scripts were written by Wolf Mankowitz, best known for his depiction of East End life in A Kid for Two Farthings.
Sid is a small-time Jewish businessman from London's East End always on the look out for a scheme that will make him rich.