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| main cast and crew Writers (except where noted) Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran Director episode guide
• season 1
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Season 1gs: Pete Drummond [Open University lecturer]
Lost in the East End of London, TV repairman Gary Sparrow walks down Ducketts Passage, through a time warp into 1940. In the Royal Oak pub there, without either gasmask or identity papers, he is suspected of being a spy. His eye is drawn by the barmaid Phoebe, but she is a married woman whose husband is away in the war. In the cellar during an air raid he teaches the pub regulars some songs. He also helps Eric, Phoebe's father, who is injured during the raid. But what will he tell his wife Yvonne, when, and if, he gets home? b: 18 Nov 93gs: Pamela Cundell [Edna], Ben Lobb [Donald], Freddie Stuart [Barman], Roger Kitter [Marty Harty], Karen Frawley [Listener]
Ignoring Yvonne's advice, Gary goes for a promotion interview but does not wear a suit. His friend, Ron, hearing Gary's call to a radio phone-in program, is intrigued to know if he really did travel back in time. After another argument with Yvonne, Gary does buy a suit, though not quite what she had in mind. He returns to Duckett's Passage to see if he can go back to 1940, and what he found there. b: 25 Nov 93gs: Peter Cellier [Spiv], Anthony Pedley [Det Insp Howard], Harry Landis [Manny (ARP warden)], Michael Garner [Det Sgt Martin], Maria Gough [Pregnant girl], Maggie Guess [Station Mistress], Jean Challis [Nurse], Tanveer Ghani [Newscaster] Gary & Yvonne argue about her preoccupation with her OU degree course and his obsession with WW2. Warning Phoebe that the bombing will start early that evening, Gary takes her to Holborn Underground station to shelter overnight. When they return to the Royal Oak next morning, he is questioned by the police. Back in their Cricklewood home, Yvonne is worried when Gary fails to return from work that evening. b: 2 Dec 93gs: Martyn Whitby [Security guard], Bobby Coombes [Kid], Nirjay Mahindru [Car mechanic] Gary asks Ron, who is a printer, to forge him some 1940s identity papers. Although he dresses for the part, Ron finds that only Gary can go back to 1940. While walking in a cemetery, Phoebe asks Gary to take her back to the 1990s with him. Back in the 1990s, Ron is angry, and Gary drives all the way to Huddersfield, where Yvonne has gone for her OU degree course, worried that Ron has told her about Phoebe. b: 9 Dec 93gs: Hilda Fenemore [Old lady], Peggy Phango [Phoebe Sparrow], Rachael Weaver [Hazel (charity girl)], Claire Williamson [Newsreader] Wanting to improve their marriage, Yvonne decides to share an interest with Gary. News of an old lady leads Gary to believe he must return once more to 1940. Ron goes to Lithuania to watch an England football match as a cover. Gary is knocked down and comes to in the hospital with Phoebe & PC Deadman by his bedside. With Gary's stay in 1940 extended, Ron decides to tell Yvonne that Gary has been held by the Lithuanian police. b: 16 Dec 93gs: Harry Landis [Manny (ARP warden)], Roger Brierley [Head waiter], Jerome Willis [Doctor], Aaron Aardvark [Commentator]
Gary decides to make another visit to 1940, following an ultimatum from Yvonne. Ron forges some 1940s money so that Gary can make a killing on the Stock Exchange. PC Deadman brings news of the King's visit to East London and Gary arranges to visit the London Hospital. Gary takes Phoebe for a meal at the Savoy to say goodbye, and secretly books the Imperial Suite. Phoebe's father, Eric, brings her some important news. Gary gives Yvonne an unexpected present, and she points out someone who looks rather familiar in an old 1940s newsreel. b: 23 Dec 93Season 2gs: Alec Linstead [Mainwaring], Terrence Hardiman [Wilson], Eamonn Walker [Mr Thursfield (bank manager)], Max Digby [Major]
Gary returns to the 1940s to try to make a fortune using his knowledge of the future. He finds that there are some changes at the Royal Oak. When he makes an appointment to see the local bank manager, he gets a surprise. b: 20 Feb 95gs: Jonathan Cake [Ludo], Paul Shearer [Frederick], Patrick Pearson [Joe], Duncan Faber [Stall holder], Alison Beattie [Girl in boat], Louise Tomkins [Shopper]
In 1995, Yvonne is thinking about having a family, and wants to move house. In 1941, Phoebe meets someone tall, dark & handsome, and gives Gary a cool reception. b: 27 Feb 95gs: Clare Cathcart [Jenny] In 1941, Gary faces a court appearance after a drinking bout. It seems he will lose his driving licence and his job. When their marriage looks like it's falling apart, Yvonne decides to seek help. Meanwhile Phoebe is pining for Gary and feeling sorry for herself. b: 6 Mar 95 w: Paul Makings: Raj Patel [Sanjay] Phoebe invites Gary for a meal, and Yvonne makes plans with him. How can he be in two places and times at once? b: 13 Mar 95 w: Gary Lawson & John Phelpsgs: Colin Spaull [Albert]
When it looks Yvonne may be promoted at work, she wants them to move far away from London. Gary thinks of a risky scheme to get himself out of the situation. b: 20 Mar 95 w: Gary Lawson & John Phelpsgs: John Rapley [Stan], Amanda Richardson [Wendy] Mrs Bloss Gary realises that life in 1941 is not what he expected. The water supply is interrupted by a bomb, and he is put on fire-watching duty. Phoebe is incensed to discover that her relationship with Gary is the subject of gossip. But how can Gary go home to 1995, when he has "committed suicide" there? b: 27 Mar 95 w: Gary Lawson & John Phelpsgs: Ronnie Stevens [Sidney Wix], Peter Blythe [Gregory (the director)], Robin Lermitte [Lance], Nicola Redmond [Stallholder], Natasha Gardiner [Record assistant], Ian Howe [Dick], Michelle Cattini [Autograph seeker] Yvonne becomes an amateur actress and lands a lead role, while Gary only gets a backstage role. Gary decides to do some "import/export" between 1941 & 1995 to make some money. b: 3 Apr 95gs: Peter Blythe [Gregory (the director)], Ronnie Stevens [Sidney Wix], David de Keyser [Dr Jakovitz], Steven Speirs [Phil] Gary goes back to 1941 to give a concert in Palmer's Green, but only returns home in the early hours. Wix wants to sign a contract with Gary to publish "his" songs, which Phoebe thinks is a good idea. When an air raid occurs, it prevents Gary from playing in Plaistow and from returning as he intended to make his theatrical debut? And what were those pills the doctor has prescribed for Gary's nerves? b: 10 Apr 95gs: Adam Henderson [Harry], Katie Donnison [Sally], Steve Rider [Himself (TV presenter)], John Motson [Himself (TV commentator)], Jeannie Crowther [Mrs French], Chase Marks [Peter] Gary gets scared when Yvonne thinks they are going to become parents. When he goes to see Phoebe, she is about to go to Buckinghamshire to visit her orphan cousins. Yvonne arranges to make a weekend visit to her mother. Gary goes with Phoebe to Buckinghamshire, but meets someone else, while Phoebe is attracted to a handsome American airman. b: 24 Apr 95 w: Paul Makings: Michael Troughton [George Harrison], Jonathan Stratt [Foreman], Glen Davies [Worker], Wayne Goddard [Pete], Scott Mitchell [Mike], Fanny Carby [Old woman], Suzy Aitchison [TV reporter], Don Gallagher [TV presenter] Phoebe is told that the brewery have another tenant for the Royal Oak and that she has to leave. When Mr Harrison visits her, he makes a proposition. Building work starts in Ducketts Passage, and a Portakabin blocks Gary's way when he wants to visit Phoebe to wish her a happy birthday. b: 1 May 95Christmas Special"Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" (50 min)gs: Diana Kent [Jayne], Tim Dutton [Guy], Michael J Shannon [Ed Murrow], Josie Kidd [the Nippie], Jon Glover [Wilfred Pickles, the newsreader], John Evans [Winston] The new development of Ducketts Plaza blocks Gary's route back to 1941. Estate agent Jayne takes a shine to Gary when he inspects one of the shop units for a potential new business selling WW2 memorabilia. Gary is torn between his two lives and loves: although he has a skiing trip with Yvonne arranged, he'd rather be with Phoebe over Christmas. b: 26 Dec 95Season 3gs: Nimmy March [Stella Wheatcroft], Charles Simon [Curator], Malcolm McFee [Minicab driver] Mrs Bloss When Gary returns from the skiing holiday, he goes to see Phoebe, but makes an error in front of Mrs Bloss. This creates problems for Phoebe, but Mrs Bloss has a secret too. Stella Wheatcroft arranges a New Year's Eve party but doesn't invite Ron. Gary benefits from British Summer Time. b: 1 Jan 96gs: Eddie Yeoh [Mr Shik], Nick Bayly [Bus inspector], David Aldous [Mr Hook], Nana Takahashi [Mrs Shik], Alfie Ettridge Rogers [Frank], Christopher Ettridge [PC Hook] Margie Hook Gary is having some success with his shop, but this makes the unemployed Yvonne depressed, until she gets a job interview. Phoebe becomes broody. Gary makes a trip to Streatham bus garage, which leads to a revelation for PC Deadman. b: 8 Jan 96gs: Ken Jones [Owen Jones], John Bardon [Guard], Charmaine Parsons [Woman] Mrs Bloss Gary helps Yvonne with her OU work with a WW2 tale of a Nazi spy and counterfeit money. Ron and Stella are still causing each other grief. b: 15 Jan 96 w: Gary Lawson & John Phelpsgs: Nimmy March [Stella Wheatcroft], Regina Freedman [Violet], Bryan Lawrence [Tom], Darren Bancroft [Harry], Harriet Thorpe [Gillian], Angus Kennedy [Ken], Paul Beech [Customer] The Ron and Stella saga continues. All seems well with both Phoebe and Yvonne, but while Gary's away the girls get up to things. Gary's nearly late as the belle of the ball. Meanwhile, in the cellar Reg is making a present for Frankie. b: 22 Jan 96gs: Kim Clifford [Mrs Cooper], Jeannie Crowther [Mrs French], Katie Donnison [Sally], Chase Marks [Peter] Phoebe's young orphaned relatives Sally and Peter return to live with her at the Royal Oak, and Gary has his arm twisted to help on the home front. Ron is still having problems with Stella, and despite Yvonne's unwillingness he moves in, but Gary begins to regret taking pity on him. b: 29 Jan 96 w: Geoff Rowleygs: Nimmy March [Stella Wheatcroft], Ronnie Stevens [Sidney Wix], Polly Hemingway [Beryl Formby], Phil Nice [George Formby] The famous entertainer George Formby arrives at the Royal Oak wanting to record one of Gary's songs. Gary has doubts about tampering with history. Stella has a deep discussion with Yvonne about the men in her life. b: 5 Feb 96 w: Geoff Rowleygs: Ralph Ineson [Donald], Arthur White [Newsagent] Yvonne pressures Gary to take a sensible job with her new company, and arranges an interview for him. Gary's life with Phoebe is threatened by a returning hero, so should he forsake the past and stay in the 1990s? b: 12 Feb 96 w: Paul Makings: Jon Glover [Dr Stone], Helena Calvert [Nurse Williams] Having missed the interview that Yvonne had arranged for him, Gary pretends to have been taken ill and takes things quietly until Ron comes round to cheer him up. Phoebe becomes ill; can Gary transport medicine back in time? Yvonne has something she has to tell Gary. b: 19 Feb 96 w: Paul Makings: Sam Douglas [Billy Joe McCarthy], Matt Rippy [Zeffirelli], Rhashan Stone [James T], Tee Jaye [Niles], Belinda Steward-Wilson [Vanessa] Gary is put out when the Americans arrive at the Royal Oak. As Gary owes Ron a favor, he sets up a deal to import some American goods from 1942. An episode of racial tension requires Gary to take some drastic action. b: 26 Feb 96 w: Gary Lawson & John Phelpsgs: Maggie Jones [Woman] Both Yvonne and Phoebe want to move house, but moving is the least of Gary's worries, as he is hit by bombshells in both his lives. b: 4 Mar 96 |
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Mrs Bloss