Long-lost Marty Feldman sketch unearthed after 58 years

Comic talks like an Egyptian

A long-lost sketch featuring Marty Feldman as a character in an ancient Egyptian tomb carving has been unearthed after 58 years.

The sketch – from the first series of his self-titled BBC show, which aired in 1968 – was discovered by preservationists in the Film Is Fabulous! group.

It was found in two 16mm film reels of comedy clips, which had later been compiled by a former BBC film editor and listed on the accompanying typed notes as ‘Egyptian Carvings’.

An audio recording was known to exist, but the BBC archives did not hold a copy of the visuals – until now.

Writing on their Facebook page, the Film Is Fabulous! team said: ‘The black and white film recording shows Marty Feldman, and fellow comedian and writer, John Junkin, as 4,000 year old carvings in an Egyptian tomb.

‘However, the issues they face are very ordinary, day-to-day affairs, which is why the sketch is viewed as a classic.’

The entire sketch from episode 4 of Marty, together with other missing items from Benny Hill, will be made available to subscribers to the Film Is Fabulous! Patreon channel later this week. It will be posted without a paywall next month.

Published: 7 Sep 2026