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List of Minder episodes
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This episode list gives brief descriptions and some other details of the episodes of the ITV television series Minder, set in contemporary London.
The earliest episodes focus on Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), a former professional boxer who has served time in jail and is determined not to return there. He finds himself in the orbit of Arthur Daley (George Cole), a middle-aged car salesman and self-described entrepreneur working on the edge of (and often beyond) the law in pursuit of a quick profit. Terry works for Arthur as an assistant/bodyguard (known as a 'minder') and is often loaned out by Arthur to work for others in a similar capacity. Over the course of the first three series, the focus of the show shifts so that the ever-scheming Arthur moves from being a supporting character to co-lead with Terry.
Series 1–7 (first broadcast from 1979 to 1985, then in 1989) feature both Terry and Arthur. Two TV films were also made between series 6 and 7, broadcast on Christmas Day 1985 and Boxing Day 1988. Terry was written out of the show after series 7.
Series 8–10 (first broadcast in 1991, 1993 and 1994) focus on Arthur Daley, older but no wiser, and his nephew Ray Daley (Gary Webster) as his new minder/assistant. Series 11 (first broadcast in 2009 on Channel 5) was a short-lived revival of the programme with a completely new cast.
George Cole died on 5 August 2015, and Glynn Edwards (who played barman Dave Harris) on 23 May 2018. Following the death of Dennis Waterman on 8 May 2022, Gary Webster and Patrick Malahide are the only surviving members of the regular cast.
Series overview
[edit]| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 11 | 29 October 1979 | 21 January 1980 | |
| 2 | 13 | 11 September 1980 | 18 December 1980 | |
| 3 | 13 | 13 January 1982 | 7 April 1982 | |
| 4 | 12 | 26 December 1983 | 21 March 1984 | |
| 5 | 9 | 5 September 1984 | 26 December 1984 | |
| 6 | 7 | 4 September 1985 | 25 December 1985 | |
| 7 | 6 | 26 December 1988 | 6 February 1989 | |
| 8 | 13 | 5 September 1991 | 25 December 1991 | |
| 9 | 13 | 7 January 1993 | 1 April 1993 | |
| 10 | 10 | 6 January 1994 | 10 March 1994 | |
| 11 | 6 | 4 February 2009 | 11 March 2009 | |
Series 1 (1979–80)
[edit]- Broadcast: 29 October 1979 – 21 January 1980 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Gunfight at the OK Laundrette" | 29 October 1979 |
| Terry is caught up in an armed robbery at a laundrette owned by gangster-turned-successful businessman Alfie Cavallo. The robbery goes wrong, and all present are held at gunpoint. Alfie is shot and wounded. As police try to talk them into releasing the hostages, Terry tries to persuade the gunman to give himself up while he has a chance. After a tense night, the gunman does so, and Terry becomes a hero. Meanwhile, Arthur is trying to generate publicity for Terry's actions. (The episode title spoofs the 1957 film Gunfight at the OK Corral.) | ||
| Guest stars: Dave King as Alfie Cavallo, Hilary Mason as Mrs. Mayhew, Donald Burton as Chief Superintendent, Arnold Diamond as Bernie. | ||
| 2 | "Bury My Half at Waltham Green" | 5 November 1979 |
| Terry guards Albert Stubbs, a newly released bank robber, until he can retrieve the stolen money he has buried. Terry discovers that he's actually lumbered with George Wilson, a look-alike decoy, to divert attention from the 'real' Stubbs, who is being housed at Arthur's flat. Stubbs' former partners, including Rose Mellors, are also after the cash. When it's dug up, it's found to be out of date and unusable. (The episode title spoofs the 1970 book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.) | ||
| Guest stars: Ann Lynn as Rose Mellors, Kenneth Cope as Stubbs, Nicky Henson as George, Tony Selby as Jacko. | ||
| 3 | "The Smaller They Are" | 12 November 1979 |
| Scotch Harry, a sneak thief, grabs an attache case full of hundred-dollar bills, which prove to be counterfeit. He finds himself out of his depth, tangling with international currency smugglers who are prepared to be violent. Arthur and Terry help to extricate him from his precarious situation. DC Rycott is also interested in Harry's activities. (The episode title spoofs the proverb "The bigger they are, the harder they fall".) | ||
| Guest stars: Phil McCall as Scotch Harry, David Jackson as Big Stan, George Tovey as Pub Landlord, Hilary Ryan as Airline Receptionist. | ||
| 4 | "A Tethered Goat" | 19 November 1979 |
| Terry guards a visiting Lebanese businessman/politician at a West Kensington flat. Having been assured it is a simple job, he finds that the visitor has been set up for a politically motivated assassination. Despite Arthur's well-meaning interference, Terry fights off a group of violent killers and manages to keep him safe. The two then help the visitor to leave the country, steering clear of police and avoiding a diplomatic incident. | ||
| Guest stars: Lee Montague as Bassam Sayin, Kenneth Griffith as Dai Llewellyn, Michael Sheard as Elliot, Nadim Sawalha as Sardi, Patrick Jordan as Police Inspector, Ian Collier as 1st Police Sergeant, David Millett as 2nd Police Sergeant. | ||
| 5 | "The Bounty Hunter" | 26 November 1979 |
| Terry and Arthur help a young widow who has been swindled out of her life savings in a Majorcan property scheme run by Freddie Fenton, a crooked businessman. She gets her money back, but only after Des and Terry hijack Fenton's Rolls-Royce and blackmail him. | ||
| Guest stars: Derek Jacobi as Freddie Fenton, June Ritchie as Jo Williams, George Layton as Des, James Aubrey as Graham Hurst, Tony Steedman as Ralph Hurst, Christopher Biggins as Harold, Keith Alexander as Andy. | ||
| 6 | "Aces High – and Sometimes Very Low" | 3 December 1979 |
| After being banned by several casinos for being too successful, and subsequently mugged, professional gambler and poker player Maurice Michaelson participates for revenge in an illegal high-stakes card game, with Terry minding him. The game is rigged, but Maurice manages to win anyway – with a spot of cheating. (The episode title spoofs the 1976 film Aces High.) | ||
| Guest stars: Anthony Valentine as Maurice, Marina Sirtis as Stella, Kevork Malikyan as Chris, Marc Zuber as Nick, David Baron as Casino Manager. | ||
| 7 | "The Bengal Tiger" | 10 December 1979 |
| Terry and Arthur are drawn into the problems of newspaper shop owner Mr. Mukerjee, whose daughter Indira has been promised in arranged marriages to several older wealthy Indian businessmen in return for dowry payments. However, she has other ideas – and the potential bridegrooms want their money back, or else. | ||
| Guest stars: Saeed Jaffrey as Mukerjee, Graham Stark as Car owner, Ahmed Khalil as Aslam, Roy Evans as Elderly Man, Eamonn Boyce as barman, Clive Hornby as Norman Gibbons, Mike Grady as Kev, Shireen Anwar as Indira, Dennis Gimes as thug. | ||
| 8 | "Come in T64, Your Time is Ticking Away" | 17 December 1979 |
| Terry is persuaded to go undercover as a driver (in a clapped-out Austin A60 Cambridge) to find out who is sabotaging the minicab firm Arthur co-owns. He eventually discovers that Arthur's minority partner wants out, and is paying for the sabotage so that he can buy Arthur's share cheaply and sell the land for a supermarket. | ||
| Guest stars: Alfred Burke as Kevin, Daphne Anderson as Katie, George Layton as Des, Oscar James as Dave, W. Morgan Sheppard as John, Eric Mason as Paddy, Diana Malin as Debbie. | ||
| 9 | "Monday Night Fever" | 7 January 1980 |
| Arthur falls heavily for Sharon, a glamorous would-be nightclub singer and offers to manage her career, despite her terrible voice. Chris, the club owner, who's been paid by Arthur to help launch her career with massive publicity, fails to come good. Arthur engages Vic Piner, a violent thug, to retrieve the money and deliver retribution. However, Terry negotiates with Chris, to avoid any violence. (The episode title spoofs the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever.) | ||
| Guest stars: Sheila White as Sharon Nightingale, Peter Blake as Barry, Eric Deacon as Chris Lambert, Brian Croucher as Big John, Anthony Heaton as Vic Piner, Tommy Wright as Henry Piner, Michael Melia as Freddie, Gennie Nevinson as Penny. | ||
| 10 | "The Dessert Song" | 14 January 1980 |
| Terry and Arthur assist Charlie, a Greek Cypriot newly arrived in London, but learn that he has come with a rifle in order to kill Omar, the Turkish Cypriot man he believes killed his brother in Cyprus. Terry minds the restaurant run by Charlie's cousin Christina, and finds himself in the middle of a potential 'honour killing'. (The episode title spoofs the 1953 film The Desert Song.) | ||
| Guest stars: Peter Bland as Charlie, Diane Keen as Christina Kostos, Daniel Hill as Johnny, Godfrey James as Omar, Michael Angelis as Nick, Vic Tablian as Chef. | ||
| 11 | "You Gotta Have Friends" | 21 January 1980 |
| 'Pretty Billy' Gilpin turns up at Arthur's home, badly injured, and begging for assistance. Terry drives him to where he wants to go, but Billy is later found drowned. It emerges that he was involved in a lucrative racket selling fake bearer bonds, but trying to rip off his partner, successful and violent gangster Bobby Altman. He was also having an affair with Lady Ingrave. Altman suspects Arthur's involvement, and kidnaps him to force him to hand over the bonds. Terry obtains the bonds from Lady Ingrave and rescues Arthur. | ||
| Guest stars: George Baker as Altman, Roy Kinnear as 'Big Kev' Whaley, David Buck as Billy, Deborah Grant as Lady Ingrave, Brian Hall as Alan, Allan Surtees as D.I. Barnett, Prentis Hancock as Stuart. | ||
Series 2 (1980)
[edit]- First broadcast: 11 September – 18 December 1980 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "National Pelmet" | 11 September 1980 |
| Arthur persuades Terry to guard 'Pelmet', a racehorse, at stables near Brighton. Terry initially refuses, but changes his mind when he meets Jocelyn, the attractive female jockey, although it's Rita, the stable girl, who makes passes at him. Attempts at sabotage are foiled, and at the racecourse Terry encounters and catches the perpetrator: Rita's ex-husband, a religious maniac who is stalking her. (The episode title spoofs the 1944 film National Velvet.) | ||
| Guest stars: Liza Goddard as Jocelyn Maxwell-Saunders, Jane Carr as Rita, Jim Norton as O'Brady, Jeremy Young as Everett. | ||
| 2 | "Whose Wife is it Anyway?" | 18 September 1980 |
| Terry guards an antique shop owned by Alex, a friend of Arthur, after two men demand protection money. He isn't keen on the job as he has to share a flat with Jim, a gay man, Alex's partner. He soon discovers that the story of the protection racket is a fabrication, that Alex is also gay, and that his ex-wife Gloria set up the 'accident' that has put Alex in hospital. (The episode title spoofs the 1972 television play Whose Life is it Anyway?.) | ||
| Guest stars: Alun Lewis as Jim, David Daker as Alex, John Forgeham as George, Charles Pemberton as Policeman. | ||
| 3 | "You Lose Some, You Win Some" | 25 September 1980 |
| Maurice Michaelson (previously seen in Series 1), a professional gambler, is running a roulette syndicate at a casino, taking a percentage of the profits. However, the casino owners are watching him and try to break up the syndicate. The syndicate members end up moving into Terry's flat for safety, although he had planned to spend time with his girlfriend Penny. To top it all, Maurice's wife Maureen disappears, and he suspects the casino owner of kidnapping her. | ||
| Guest stars: Anthony Valentine as Maurice, Gennie Nevinson as Penny, Lesley Joseph as Maureen, Lynda Baron as Sadie, Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Major Lampson, Leslie Schofield as Parsons. | ||
| 4 | "Don't Tell Them Willie Boy was Here" | 9 October 1980 |
| Retired champion boxer Willie Reynolds, the 'Mersey Mouth', returns to London from Jamaica for a comeback fight, but gets hit with a demand for payment of back taxes. He doesn't take the fight very seriously, but Terry learns that Barney, his trainer, is planning to fix the fight. Terry decides to take over Willie's training, and Willie wins the fight, much to Barney's anger. Arthur also makes some money. (The episode title spoofs the 1969 film Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here.) | ||
| Guest stars: Paul Barber as Willie Reynolds, Alfred Marks as Barney Mather, Jackie Collins as herself, Ronnie Stevens as TV host, Vicki Michelle as Sarah Jane, Tania Rogers as Ruth Reynolds, Imogen Bickford-Smith as Girl in disco, Barry Wade as Fashion Photographer. | ||
| 5 | "Not a Bad Lad, Dad" | 16 October 1980 |
| Beryl, a former girlfriend of Terry, escaping a violent marriage, leaves her nine-year-old son Peter on Terry's doorstep with a note claiming that he's the father. Terry looks after the lad with help from a visiting Penny, and warms to him. However, Beryl’s husband tracks them down, and Terry has to fight him off. | ||
| Guest stars: Sharon Duce as Beryl, Gennie Nevinson as Penny, Dicken Ashworth as Ronnie, Stanley Price as Publican | ||
| 6 | "The Beer Hunter" | 23 October 1980 |
| Arthur has a drunken reunion with his former army mate Yorkie, but in the morning Yorkie can't be found at his hotel. In fact, he's ended up with a part-time prostitute, but he can't remember where or what his hotel is. With Yorkie's wife on her way to London from Yorkshire, Arthur and Terry must find Yorkie. The trail takes them via a phantom night porter, a school rugby match (in which Arthur scores a try!) and a one-armed taxi driver, to Yorkie – just in time. (The episode title spoofs the 1978 film The Deer Hunter.) | ||
| Guest stars: Brian Glover as Yorkie, Georgina Hale as Renee, Janine Duvitski as Carol | ||
| 7 | "A Nice Little Wine" | 30 October 1980 |
| Arthur buys a consignment of red wine from dodgy dealer Clive Stannard, but Stannard is later drugged and robbed by a visiting masseuse in his hotel. He blames Arthur, who has to track down the phoney masseuse and get back the money before Stannard sends a former army mate to 'do over' Arthur. He traces the culprit to a sleazy sex shop, and recovers the money. However, before it can be returned, Stannard is arrested by DS Chisholm—and Arthur gets to keep the money. | ||
| Guest stars: Peter Jeffrey as Stannard, Rachel Davies as Bettina, Lois Baxter as Sandra, Pam St. Clement as Sandra's mum, Burt Kwouk as Sojo, Davyd Harries as Policeman, Donald Douglas as Scots Winetaster. | ||
| 8 | "All Mod Cons" | 6 November 1980 |
| The elderly Charlie Vickery asks Arthur to remove some squatters from a house that he wants to renovate, but Terry discovers that they're actually paying rent to Charlie's granddaughter Kate. When she hires some other muscle to force the tenants out, Terry finds himself up against them. Terry also takes a well paying job as a bouncer at an exclusive nightclub where his current girlfriend, Helen, works but leaves after she is falsely accused of fraud by the crooked manager. | ||
| Guest stars: Annette Lynton as Helen, Simon Cadell as Simon, Harry Towb as Harry, Toyah Willcox as Kate, Michael Robbins as Jack McQueen, Tony Osoba as Pearce, James Ottaway as Vickery. | ||
| 9 | "Diamonds Are a Girl's Worst Enemy" | 20 November 1980 |
| Terry is hired as driver/bodyguard for old flame Rose Mellors (previously seen in Series 1), who is handling uncut diamonds for dealer Mr Tajvir. Her car is stolen, with the diamonds still in it, and Tajvir is furious. He blames Arthur and Terry and gives them 24 hours to find them. It transpires that Rose had planned to have the car and stones stolen by her own assistant/minder Jacko and go into business for herself. But Terry persuades her to return them, for all their sakes. (The episode title spoofs the song "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend".) | ||
| Guest stars: Ann Lynn as Rose, Tony Selby as Jacko, George Layton as Des, Zia Mohyeddin as Tajvir, Sam Kydd as Sid, John Ringham as Harrison, Howard Attfield as Driver. | ||
| 10 | "The Old School Tie" | 27 November 1980 |
| Terry's friend George Palmer escapes from prison with only three months left of his sentence for a diamond robbery and asks Terry to help prove that he was innocent. He was actually on a 'job' in a nearby street and was caught escaping the scene. Terry gets a journalist friend to assist, but George is kidnapped by the men behind the diamond robbery. It transpires that George's brother-in-law Harry was the 'inside man' and he leads Terry to where George is being held. With DC Rycott's help, George is rescued and the real thieves arrested. George's wife Olive is offered money by the newspaper for her story. | ||
| Guest stars: Paul Copley as George Palmer, Sherrie Hewson as Olive, Derek Thompson as Harry, Nick Stringer as Tommy, Diana Malin as Debbie. | ||
| 11 | "All About Scoring, Innit?" | 4 December 1980 |
| Over-sexed footballer Danny Varrow, deep in gambling debts, tries to sell his 'exclusive story' to alcoholic sports writer Ronnie Raikes, but Raikes doesn't want to know. Arthur and Terry decide to 'manage' him to get a better price for the story and hide him in an expensive penthouse suite at a hotel. But Varrow is being stalked by a farmer whose daughter he had an affair with. Varrow is kidnapped by Rafferty, his loan shark, but Terry manages to get him away when the former's minder turns out to be an old boxing mate of Terry's. Arthur is left deep in debt, and Varrow is sold to a Dutch club. | ||
| Guest stars: Karl Howman as Danny Varrow, Sean Caffrey as Leo Rafferty, Forbes Collins as Arklow, Adrienne Posta as Jenny, George Sweeney as Clifton Fields, Anthony Douse as Ronnie Raikes, Martin Neil as Reporter. | ||
| 12 | "Caught in the Act, Fact" | 11 December 1980 |
| Terry is hired to mind Lady Margaret Thompson, but isn't told that she has major memory lapses and shoplifting tendencies. She does go shoplifting whilst Terry is minding her, but has no memory of it and Terry is arrested and charged. Her husband denies all knowledge of the events and Terry appears in court. DS Chisholm suspects the truth and persuades Terry to plead guilty. He gets a suspended sentence but is furious with Arthur, who did know of Lady Margaret's mental problems. | ||
| Guest stars: Angela Browne as Lady Margaret, Glyn Houston as Harry Thompson, George Layton as Des, Angus MacKay as Mr. Knight, James Marcus as Bertie, John Rolfe as Collin. | ||
| 13 | "A Lot of Bull and a Pat on the Back" | 18 December 1980 |
| Arthur is hired by two farmers to repossess a prize bull and persuades a very reluctant Terry to help him. They later read in the newspaper that the bull has been stolen, and Terry, determined to clear himself of any guilt, persuades Arthur to help him steal it back. They return it to the farmers and also return the money they've been paid. Terry also finds time to see off a brothel-keeper who's been hassling Debbie and her fellow strippers. (This is the only episode in which both of Terry's recurring girlfriends, Penny and Debbie, meet.) | ||
| Guest stars: Derek Benfield as Brown, Diana Malin as Debbie, Gennie Nevinson as Penny. | ||
| For many years it was assumed this episode was the final episode of series 2 because it was broadcast at a later date in the London region. In the London region, Thames broadcast a Telethon for Children's charities on 2 October 1980 and this episode was finally broadcast in the London region to catch up on 18 December 1980. Therefore, on original DVD releases of the series this episode is often mistakenly shown as the final episode in the series, when really it is the fourth. All other regions outside London broadcast this episode in its original position in the series on 2 October 1980. | ||
Series 3 (1982)
[edit]- Broadcast: 13 January – 7 April 1982 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" | 13 January 1982 |
| Travel agent Monty Wiseman helps a lady to repatriate her husband's body. The coffin is stored in Arthur's lockup until the funeral, but when an inquest is ordered, Arthur is forced to move the coffin to Terry's flat. Wiseman plans to use an alcoholic tramp ('Incapable'), a former surgeon, to extract smuggled diamonds from the dead body, but all doesn't go as planned. DS Chisholm is also interested in the goings-on. (The title spoofs the 1938 film Dead Men Tell No Tales.) | ||
| Guest stars: Patricia Maynard as Mrs Chambers,[1] Harry Fowler as Monty Wiseman,[1] Harold Innocent as Incapable,[1] Derek Fowlds as Meadhurst,[1] Suzi Quatro as Nancy,[1] Eileen Way as Mrs. Chambers' Mother,[1] Rayner Bourton as Randolf,[1] Michael Jenkinson as Vicar.[1] | ||
| 2 | "You Need Hands" | 20 January 1982 |
| Terry is employed to guard a consignment of diamonds, but is injured. Arthur 'borrows' Vernon, a minder for a mate of his, to guard the shipment of the diamonds. He finds out that the items being shipped are really drugs and is kidnapped by the dodgy dealer to stop him talking. Then the real owner of the drugs turns up at the meet in a muddy Essex field at dawn, with armed muscle. But Terry and Des have learned of the events and manage to save the day. (The title refers to the song "You Need Hands", sung by Max Bygraves.) | ||
| Guest stars: Mike Reid as Vernon, Alan MacNaughtan as Merrick, Harry Landis as Lenny Bowman, Julian Holloway as Matthews, Leslie Sarony as man in café, Steve Emerson as Merrick's Heavy, Gareth Milne as Gerry, Martin Fisk as Security Guard. | ||
| 3 | "Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore" | 27 January 1982 |
| Talented painter-turned-forger Frankie Simmons is painting copies of 'old masters' that a dodgy art dealer can easily sell. Arthur sells one painting to bookmaker Rory Quinn, but no one realises that Frankie's jealous girlfriend Monica has added a small detail that marks it as a fake. Quinn is furious when he finds out and pressures Arthur for his money back. Frankie quickly skips the country. (The title spoofs the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.) | ||
| Guest stars: George Sewell as Frankie Simmons, Ewan Hooper as Quinn, Patricia Quinn as Monica Mason, John Tordoff as Max, Valentino Musetti as Gerry. | ||
| 4 | "Looking for Micky" | 3 February 1982 |
| 'Mad' Micky escapes from prison and makes his way to Debbie's flat. Micky wants to go to the Press to convince the world he has been ‘misrepresented’ as a dangerous convict, thereby hoping to obtain from the authorities a firm date for his release. Debbie goes to Terry to ask him for help, persuading Terry, who knew Micky when they were both boxing, to help Micky go to the newspapers. Arthur sees an opportunity to make some money by selling the story to a journalist, but Micky's nasty former boxing manager has other ideas and does a deal with an equally ruthless journalist to get Micky back to jail. | ||
| Guest stars: John Labanowski as Micky Dixon, Bill Nighy as Oates, John Moffatt as Freddie Baker, Diana Malin as Debbie, Tom Watson as Anker, Jim McManus as George. | ||
| 5 | "Dreamhouse" | 10 February 1982 |
| Terry minds pop star Frankie Farrow's country mansion whilst the latter is supposedly performing in Las Vegas. He meets Farrow's brother Derek, once his assistant and accountant, but now a frustrated and jobless alcoholic. It emerges that Frankie is a 'has-been' and is really performing at small workingmen's clubs in the north of England. To top it all, Frankie then decamps to Spain to escape his creditors. Meanwhile, Arthur is being pursued by the vengeful sons of a newly widowed lady, Beryl, whose money he has tried to invest. | ||
| Guest stars: Richard Griffiths as Derek Farrow, Wanda Ventham as Beryl, Roger Sloman as Georgie Silver, Frank Coda as Mr Woods, Adrian Mills as Stanley, Sidney Kean as Harry. | ||
| 6 | "Another Bride, Another Groom" | 17 February 1982 |
| Arthur's attempts at organising his niece's wedding turn into a catalogue of disasters. Terry is reluctantly driving the limousine that picks up the bride, but he also has to collect some books on the way. The 'books' turn out to be a carload of illegal pornographic magazines that Arthur plans to quickly unload. A corrupt copper follows Terry to the church with a view to blackmailing Arthur, whilst thugs working for Grantly, the legal owner of the magazines, are following him. The magazines are destined to be pulped, but when Terry's friend is beaten up by the thugs, he exacts revenge.(The title spoofs the phrase "Another Day, Another Dollar".) | ||
| Guest stars: Warren Clarke as DC Ashmole, Ian Hogg as Grantly, John Judd as Noisy, Desmond McNamara as Reggie, Jeffrey Segal as Middle Aged Man, Jayne Lester as Trina. | ||
| 7 | "The Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs" | 24 February 1982 |
| Arthur and Terry are asked to look after former gangster Ernie Dodds, just out of prison after 14 years. Arthur helps Ernie financially, on the understanding that the latter will pay him back when he gets his ill-gotten money out of a secret bank account. They discover that the account has been closed and emptied by a corrupt bank manager. And they soon realise that Kate Grundy (daughter of Ernie's former partner), a retired (and corrupt) police superintendent and a bent 'screw' are also after the money. But the now-deceased manager has lost the money in bad business deals and all that's left is his widow's pet shop. (The title spoofs the 1962 film Birdman of Alcatraz.) | ||
| Guest stars: Rula Lenska as Kate Grundy, Maurice Denham as Billings, Max Wall as Ernie Dodds, Joe Ritchie as Ron Grundy, Avril Angers as Mrs Knight, Stephen Greif as Spencer, Frederick Treves as Bank Manager. | ||
| 8 | "The Son Also Rises" | 3 March 1982 |
| Corrupt property developer Ted Standen refuses to pay Alex Rowan, his former accountant just out of prison. Rowan had kept quiet about Standen's dealings, in return for a promised pay-off. Rowan has Standen's schoolboy son John roughed up to 'persuade' him to pay, but Terry, who is given the job of minding John, thinks there's a better way. With assistance from canny accountant Morrie Levin, Standen is confronted by Arthur in the persona of John's financial advisor. Under pressure, Standen is forced to pay Rowan and also pay out his son's trust account as he's just turned 18. (The title spoofs the 1926 novel – and 1957 film – The Sun Also Rises.) | ||
| Guest stars: Gareth Hunt as Ted Standen, Annabel Leventon as Muriel Standen, Alfie Bass as Morrie Levin, Gary Waldhorn as Alex Rowan, Stephen Garlick as John Standen, Christopher Ellison as Charlie, Nigel Humphreys as Ronald, David Arlen as Phil, Christopher Coll as Probation Officer Morley, Ozzie Stevens as 1st Youth, Steve Fletcher as 2nd Youth. | ||
| 9 | "Why Pay Tax" | 10 March 1982 |
| Barry the Book, a high-stakes bookmaker, hires Terry to mind him when making a large payout, but the money is stolen and Terry is injured in the fracas. He learns that the theft wasn't accidental, and Barry loses all his household goods when the real punter comes to collect. Later, to get out of another large debt, Barry ends up working for the betting shop owner, whom Terry has been romancing. Meanwhile, Arthur is dealing with local Irish builder Dermot, purchasing a job-lot of secondhand fireplaces. However, Arthur is conned out of an antique Robert Adam fireplace by Ray's valuer, Cyril. | ||
| Guest stars: Michael Medwin as Barry the Book, Nigel Davenport as Ray, Kika Markham as Dolly Warner, Roger Brierley as Cyril, Shay Gorman as Forman. | ||
| 10 | "Broken Arrow" | 17 March 1982 |
| Terry meets Dafydd, a young Welshman, an expert ambidextrous darts player, and Arthur sees the chance to make some money by managing him. After a competition in a rough south London boozer where the locals don't take kindly to his playing, Arthur organises his own tournament. However, fewer players than expected enter, and Arthur is left scrambling to raise the prize money. (The title refers to the 1950 Western film – and subsequent television series of the same name – Broken Arrow.) | ||
| Guest stars: Sean Mathias as Dafydd Evans, Maggie Steed as Sherry, Edward Peel as Ted Turton, Michael Graham Cox as Wally Brabham, John Joyce as Eddie Pitt, Jonathan Kydd as Len, Paddy Joyce as Pat, Alfred Maron as Little Freddie, Roy Pattison as Man at Silver Rose, Honora Burke as Woman at Silver Rose, Gary Olsen as Derek and Jestyn Phillips as Mr Rice. | ||
| 11 | "Poetic Justice, Innit?" | 24 March 1982 |
| Terry's girlfriend Debbie, now working as an in-home hairdresser, is a witness to a violent jewellery robbery. Terry helps to track down the perpetrators, although DS Soames, a new arrival on the manor, firmly believes that Debbie and Terry set up the theft. Arthur is called for jury service, at a robbery trial, to the horror of DS Chisholm, the prosecuting officer. | ||
| Guest stars: Michael Culver as DS Soames, Diana Malin as Debbie, James Cossins as Judge, Larry Martyn as Smith, Barrie Cookson as Parsons, Peter-Hugo Daly as Knowles, Bernard Horsfall as Mr. Russel QC, John Bardon as Jury Member, Lloyd McGuire as Jury Member, Gwyneth Strong as Jury Member, David Sibley as Jury Member. | ||
| 12 | "Back in Good Old England" | 31 March 1982 |
| Ex-con Jack 'Oily' Wragg returns from self-imposed exile in Spain. Terry's glad to see him, but no one else is – Archie, his former partner-in-crime, wants to kill him. Wragg enthusiastically claims to be planning a major wages snatch, but the plan turns out to be ill-conceived and no one will take it seriously. His potential partner gets cold feet, and Jack realises that London has changed too much since he went away. With Archie and his heavies close behind him, he escapes across the English Channel to Holland on a boat provided by a mate of Des. (The title spoofs the popular 1916 music hall song "Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty".) | ||
| Guest stars: Pete Postlethwaite as Jack Wragg, David Hargreaves as Archie, Jonathan Fletcher as Nigel Kendal, George Layton as Des, Norman Beaton as Billy, Tariq Yunus as Chris, John Benfield as Painter, Royston Tickner as The Skipper, Stanley McGeagh as Police Sergeant. | ||
| 13 | "In" | 7 April 1982 |
| Arthur takes delivery of a privately imported BMW car, but his car lot is raided by police and Arthur is arrested for drug trafficking. Whilst he is being interrogated by Rycott and a German detective, and the car is being stripped and searched, Terry tries to track down the delivery driver. He finds his sister, a feisty nurse, and eventually the driver. This leads to an extended fight that leaves them both bloodied and battered on a London bus. (The title spoofs the 1978 Thames Television series Out.) | ||
| Guest stars: Frederick Jaeger as Inspector Klingmann, Brian Cox as Frank, Lindy Whiteford as Bridget, Russell Hunter as Billy 'The Ferret', Diane Langton as Rita, John Hallam as Gypsy Joe, Linal Haft as Ronnie, Barry Stanton as Georgie, Dominic Allan as Police Doctor, Annette Badland as Nurse, Edward Kelsey as Foreman, Peter Van Dissel as Plain Clothes Man, Timothy Block as Armed Officer, Trevor Cooper as Officer 2, Brian Grellis as Van Radio Officer. | ||
Series 4 (1983–84)
[edit]- Broadcast: 26 December 1983 – 21 March 1984 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Minder's Christmas Bonus" | 26 December 1983 |
| Arthur and Terry help Dave to decorate the Christmas tree in the Winchester, whilst 'Er Indoors and the children are supposedly on their way to Florida. It transpires that the tickets, purchased by Arthur from a mate, are standby only, and she is not pleased. She remains stranded at the airport, but Arthur makes a few urgent calls and eventually she gets away. At the Winchester, they reminisce about times past; clips from previous episodes are shown, featuring such memorable characters as Maurice Michaelson, Big Bobby Altman, and Scotch Harry. | ||
| Guest cast: none in new sequences | ||
| 2 | "Rocky Eight and a Half" | 11 January 1984 |
| 'Dirty Harry' Lynch suggests to Arthur that Terry might want to return to boxing – seven years after losing his licence – and fight his former opponent Jackie Wilson in a 'pirate' match. Initially not enthusiastic, even with the chance to make some money, Terry is persuaded and goes back into intensive training with 'Soldier' Atkins. Arthur sees the chance to make some easy money from betting. But Wilson's wife, worried about his health, asks Terry to go easy on him. The match, attended by Rycott and other police officers, turns into a 'needle match', and Terry knocks Wilson out, winning the match. And Arthur, who Harry has swindled in a property deal, makes some money out of it. (The episode title spoofs the 1982 film Rocky III.) | ||
| Guest stars: Christine Kavanagh as Nicky, David Lodge as 'Soldier' Atkins, George Innes as Harry Lynch, Ian McNeice as Eric Morgan, Frank Gatliff as Darrow, the Solicitor, Donald Eccles as Medical Officer, Jonathan Burn as Boxing M.C., Bruce Wells as Boxing Referee. | ||
| 3 | "Senior Citizen Caine" | 18 January 1984 |
| Recently widowed car dealer Cecil Caine divides up the business between his two greedy sons, whom he hates. Knowing that the family want to have him institutionalised, he gets Terry to protect him whilst he hides in the canal narrowboat he has bought for his retirement. It emerges that Caine has been having an affair with his secretary and has also been fiddling his taxes for many years. When the VAT inspectors track him down, it is Cecil's son Johnny who is put in the frame, whilst Caine and Miss Jones drive off into the sunset on a classic motorbike. (The episode title spoofs the 1941 film Citizen Kane.) | ||
| Guest stars: Lionel Jeffries as Cecil Caine, Keith Barron as Johnny Caine, Angela Richards as Sheila Jones, John Carlin as Derek Caine, James Cosmo as Jock McLeish, Iain Rattray as Scotsman, Gillian Taylforth as Girl in Pub, Kim Taylforth as Girl in Pub, Griffith Davies as Drunk. | ||
| 4 | "High Drains Pilferer" | 25 January 1984 |
| Whilst Terry is driving for gangster-turned-businessman Micky 'The Fish' Metcalfe, Micky's girlfriend's flat is burgled and expensive jewellery stolen. Micky is furious, and DS Chisholm initially suspects Terry's involvement. However, Terry thinks he knows who the culprit is – his former cellmate and cat burglar, Eddie. Despite Terry's assistance, Eddie is arrested. (The episode title spoofs the 1973 film High Plains Drifter.) | ||
| Guest stars: David Calder as Micky the Fish, Sheila Ruskin as Susie Blake, Chris Matthews as Eddie Venables, Paul Brooke as Hamster. | ||
| 5 | "Sorry Pal, Wrong Number" | 1 February 1984 |
| Arthur starts a horse-race tipping service with J.J. Mooney, a suave and persuasive elderly conman. Terry cops the job of giving out the daily selections from the office – which turns out to be three telephone boxes outside a West London railway station. An initial success, the business quickly folds when J.J. is admitted to hospital after a heart attack. Arthur learns that J.J. had a similar arrangement with Sprott, a corrupt copper, recently dismissed from the force, and Sprott now wants Arthur's share – or else! (The episode title spoofs the 1948 film Sorry, Wrong Number.) | ||
| Guest stars: T. P. McKenna as J.J. Mooney, Shaun Curry as Sprott, Royce Mills as Andrew, Vivian Mann as Tony, Rosalind Lloyd as Fenella, Timothy Bateson as Railwayman, Hugh Futcher as Mo, Alan Chuntz as Punter in Betting Shop. | ||
| 6 | "The Car Lot Baggers" | 8 February 1984 |
| Someone is sabotaging Wally West's car lot, burning cars and stealing documents. Initial suspicion falls on a local group of Irish travellers, but Nathan, their leader, proves to Terry, who's minding the lot, that they are innocent. With Nathan's help, Terry tracks down the miscreants, who admit to working for a ruthless property developer, Apsimon, who wants to buy Wally's land cheaply. He is assisted in this by Fribbins, a corrupt local councillor. Arthur and Wally confront Apsimon and negotiate a steep price for Wally's land. (The episode title spoofs the 1964 film The Carpetbaggers.) | ||
| Guest stars: Jimmy Nail as Nathan Loveridge, Ray Winstone as Arnie, June Whitfield as Tilly Murdoch, Artro Morris as Mr De Ath, Harry Scott as Wally West, James Faulkner as Apsimon, Colin Jeavons as Fribbins, Christopher Benjamin as Mr. Rushmer, Jeff Stewart as Mick, John Altman as Cabbie | ||
| 7 | "If Money Be the Food of Love, Play On" | 15 February 1984 |
| An attractive Australian girl arrives at the Winchester, seeking Arthur's help in finding her former boyfriend, believed to be living in London. Whilst searching, Arthur manages to sub-rent her Terry's flat, sell her a second-hand car and a stolen fur coat. The man, when found, turns out to be a partner-in-crime of the girl, having absconded with criminal proceeds. He reluctantly hands over what cash is left, and the girl returns to Australia. (The episode title spoofs the line "If music be the food of love, play on", from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.) | ||
| Guest stars: Penny Downie as Dee Rogers, Larry Lamb as Greg Collins, Barry Jackson as Mournful Morris, Laurence Harrington as Builder. | ||
| 8 | "A Star is Gorn" | 22 February 1984 |
| Pop star Zac Zolar (aka Albert Trout) disappears at the height of his fame. A dead body turns up, but the police are unable to find anyone who can identify it as that of Zolar. Arthur inadvertently buys a discarded master tape of Zolar's unreleased early recordings, and tries to sell it at a high price to the record company. But Zolar's ruthless manager, Cyril Ash, also wants them. Ash's minder tracks down Zolar at his girlfriend's place in the country, where he wants to get away from the business, under the new name of Alan Trent. He is kidnapped by Ash, but Terry is able to find and rescue him. They all meet at the recording studio, but to their chagrin, the tape has been stored next to a box of magnetic toys in Arthur's lockup and is unusable. (The episode title spoofs the 1954 film A Star is Born). | ||
| Guest stars: Mel Smith as Cyril Ash, Mike Holoway as Zac Zolar, Primi Townsend as Sharon, Charles Kay as John Sutton, Tim Healy as George, Jackie Smith-Wood as Jessica Trent, Michael Deeks as Billy Cronin. | ||
| 9 | "Willesden Suite" | 29 February 1984 |
| Terry becomes temporary house detective at a hotel where Arthur is supplying Norma Bates, the manageress, with toilet rolls and butter and jam portions. He's persuaded to address a Rotary Club luncheon, but when his carefully crafted script goes missing, the result is a drunken disaster. The lunch is violently interrupted by a jewel thief who was in league with the manageress. Meanwhile, Terry has to cope with two thieves posing as priests, and a would-be model being fleeced by a lecherous photographer. (The episode title spoofs the 1978 film California Suite.) | ||
| Guest stars: Toby Robins as Norma Bates, Susan Kyd as Sue, William Simons as Pongo, Bernard Kay as Charles Riding, Valentine Palmer as Barry Pollard, Reece Dinsdale as Steve, Brian Hawksley as Mr. Robinson, Sally Jane Jackson as Karen Bradly. | ||
| 10 | "Windows" | 7 March 1984 |
| Arthur starts a health club, the 'Daley Workout', with moonlighting blackjack dealers acting as coaches. His business partner's wife and daughter disappear, and Terry, the daughter's godfather, finds himself having to sort out the resultant mess. He also tangles with a cannabis-growing would-be gangster. The club is closed down by the local health authority. (The title spoofs the title of 1983 Thames television series Widows.) | ||
| Guest stars: Patrick Troughton as Joe Mancini, Jenifer Landor as Laura, Stephen Rea as Roddy, Tony Anholt as Johnny Petselli, Janet Fielding as Janice, Billy Hartman as Billy, Judith Byfield as Ms. Knight, Jack Le White as Old Irishman | ||
| 11 | "Get Daley" | 14 March 1984 |
| Arthur is a witness when a gunman threatens a man who then dies of a heart attack. Chisholm questions him and the dead man's business partner over the killing, but can't prove anything. Arthur, in hospital for minor surgery; gets a midnight visit from a thug, working for Albert "Wendy" Wendle, a crooked and agoraphobic bookmaker who's owed money by the dead man. Terry assists in getting Chisholm to nick Wendle and his associates. (The episode title spoofs the 1971 film Get Carter.) | ||
| Guest stars: Gorden Kaye as Sammy, Roger Hammond as Albert Wendle, Peter Alexander as Tony Apsey, Maureen O'Farrell as Sandra, Frank Mills as Harry Martin, Kevin Lloyd as Dermott, Brian Peck as Vic Harrison, Miranda Forbes as Nurse. | ||
| 12 | "A Well Fashioned Fit-Up" | 21 March 1984 |
| Terry acts as night-guard to a collection of designer clothes at Ronald Shyver's fashion house. But as he's already engaged as bouncer for the opening of an Irish pub, Arthur agrees to take part of his shift. Terry is late arriving, following a major fight at the pub, and when he turns up, Arthur has gone – and so have the clothes. It emerges that Shyver arranged the theft himself to have the clothes cheaply copied in Hong Kong, thus cheating Zoe, the talented designer. As revenge, Terry, Arthur and Zoe arrange to have the garments replaced by a load of 'high street tat', to be themselves cheaply copied. Shyver is furious but can do nothing about it. | ||
| Guest stars: Stanley Meadows as Ronald Shyver, Sara Sugarman as Zoe, Gerard Murphy as Kevin O'Hara, Richard Ireson as Market Stallholder, George Little as Ted. | ||
Series 5 (1984)
[edit]- Broadcast: 5 September – 26 December 1984 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Goodbye Sailor" | 5 September 1984 |
| Arthur does a deal with Commander Hawksly to buy some cheap tobacco, sending Terry and Arnie down to Buckler's Hard to collect the stock. The following morning, when Arthur joins them, they find that Hawksly and Winstanley, the commodore of the sailing club, are running a profitable racket, smuggling the tobacco from France. They have to go out on Hawksly's boat for the handover. They make the collection, but are detected and chased by a Customs launch, giving them the slip, although Winstanley is caught. Some of the tobacco, which was jettisoned overboard, is washed up on mudflats and the intrepid trio retrieve it. (The title spoofs the popular phrase, "Hello sailor!") | ||
| Guest stars: Moray Watson as Commander Hawksly, Reginald Marsh as Johnny Winstanley, Ray Winstone as Arnie, Sarah Berger as Penny, Peter Rutherford as Large Man, Bill Treacher as Punter. | ||
| 2 | "What Makes Shamy Run?" | 12 September 1984 |
| Shamy, a young Anglo-Indian conman and petty crook, working in a Brick Lane video shop, settles a debt to Arthur with shonky banknotes – money that comes to DS Chisholm's attention and leads to a search of Arthur's lockup. Shamy tries to persuade Arthur to back him in a plot to steal a master tape of a new-release Bollywood film and have it copied in Bombay. When he refuses, Terry, who's had a big win on the horses with a 'Yankee' bet, backs him. Shamy carries out the theft and goes to Bombay. Much to everyone's surprise, the deal works out and Shamy decides to stay there, even sending for his wife. And there's a financial return for Terry, much to Arthur's chagrin. (The title spoofs the 1941 novel – and subsequent Broadway musical – What Makes Sammy Run?) | ||
| Guest stars: Art Malik as Shamy, Robbie Coltrane as Mr Henry, Fred Evans as 'The Syrup', Albert Moses as Mr Desai, Madhav Sharma as Mr. Mitra, Stacy Davies as Smudger, Ishaq Bux as Elderly Indian Man. | ||
| 3 | "A Number of Old Wives Tales" | 19 September 1984 |
| 'Confident Clive' Cosgrove is getting married. He invites Arthur to give the bride away and Terry to be Best Man. Despite hardly knowing anything about Clive's personal life, they agree. Arnie volunteers to provide a bridal limousine, but it turns out to be a second-hand recovery truck. After the ceremony at Chiswick registry office, the bride's drunken ex-husband turns up and an altercation ensues. A photo gets into the local newspaper, where it's seen by various other ladies. It emerges that Clive is already married, and not just once, but several times, and also has two children by two different wives. His various wives and the police are already on his trail. After hiding in a male-only health club, Cosgrove is persuaded to give himself up to DS Chisholm, but flees from the wrath of his various furious 'wives'. | ||
| Guest stars: Patrick Mower as Cosgrove, Kate Williams as Mary, Ray Winstone as Arnie, Sue Holderness as Laura, Gary Holton as Barry, Jonathan Kydd as Ernie, Kenneth Waller as Roland, David Weston as Peter, Michael Attwell as Harry, Peter Dennis as Geoffrey. | ||
| 4 | "The Second Time Around" | 26 September 1984 |
| Retired romance novelist Ruby Hubbard (aka Lorraine Masters) returns from Capri to write another novel, as she needs the money. But she finds that she has writer's block. On top of that, her swish Hampstead house has been sold from under her in a crooked Spanish property deal perpetrated by her estranged, philandering husband Barney. Arthur, who had an innocent hand in the sale, has enquiries made to expose the fraud. Terry takes on the job of minding Ruby, but finds himself assisting in devising the plot and even writing the story. Barney and his crooked lawyer return from Spain and Arthur forces them to pay Ruby her share of the sale. The novel is completed and delivered to the publishers, who are well aware that it's essentially a rewrite of her first novel. Ruby and Barney return to Capri. | ||
| Guest stars: Beryl Reid as Ruby, Bill Maynard as Barney Todd, John F. Landry as Ronnie Todd, Ivor Roberts as Jack Hodgson, Nigel Le Vaillant as Andy, Peter Birrel as John Scott, David Webb as John Draham. | ||
| 5 | "Second Hand Pose" | 10 October 1984 |
| Terry is nearly frozen to death in a butcher's cold store. On recovery, he angrily swears not to work with Arthur anymore and is offered a job with Charlie Pope, a second-hand furniture dealer. Charlie and Terry get a house-clearing job from an estate agency, but unknown to Terry, Charlie is removing (stealing) furniture from another flat in the same block – some of which Arthur immediately sells on with a large mark-up. Terry is furious when he realises that he's been had, and by then DS Rycott is onto them. Pulled in by Rycott, Terry and Charlie swear innocence. Unable to prove anything definite, Rycott is forced to let them go and they promptly replace all the stolen goods. Everyone's happy, except the baffled Rycott. And Terry returns to Arthur's employ. (The title spoofs the song "Second Hand Rose".) | ||
| Guest stars: Billy Murray as Charlie Pope, David Warbeck as Roger Collins, Stacy Dorning as Abigail Collins, Andrew Lodge as John Rawlings, Johnny Shannon as Roly, Roy Boyd as Bill, Tim Pearce as Ben, Roger Nott as Ambulance Attendant. | ||
| 6 | "The Long Ride Back to Scratchwood" | 17 October 1984 |
| Justin James concocts a scheme with a former footballer to obtain tickets for an England v Scotland football match. He plans to on-sell them at a major mark-up to Scottish fans. With Arthur's financial backing, he hopes to cut out Phil the 'Ticket King'. Arthur puts up the money and they set off for Scotland with the tickets. Phil and his minder follow, and a confrontation ensues at a motorway service area. Arthur is forced to sell the tickets to Phil, but before the deal goes down, it emerges that the tickets are actually forged—so there's no deal, and no return for anyone. | ||
| Guest stars: Mark Farmer as Justin James, Alan Hunter as Steve Benson, Jon Croft as Alisdair Fraser, James Marcus as Phil, Derek Martin as Cedric, Nicolas Chagrin as Mario, David Beckett as Mechanic. | ||
| 7 | "Hypnotising Rita" | 24 October 1984 |
| Arthur and Terry provide sanctuary to a young girl, Rita, and her boyfriend. Rita's brothers are trying to break them up. She explains that she'll inherit some money on her birthday, a few days hence, but believes that he isn't interested in the money, only her. Her boyfriend, Walter Sudbury, a hypnotist, assists Arthur in return for sanctuary, by making him believe that his cigars taste of burning rubber. Arthur and Terry attempt to mediate between Rita and her Mother, but it transpires that there is no money to inherit. Rita refuses to listen to her Mother's pleas, even after Sudbury vanishes. Arthur also makes a foray into the carpet cleaning business, but exits quickly after he ruins a valuable Persian rug. (The title spoofs the 1980 play – and subsequent film – Educating Rita.) | ||
| Guest stars: Nicola Cowper as Rita, Donald Sumpter as Sudbury, June Brown as Rita's mum, Renu Setna as Mr. Sharman, Sally Faulkner as Clare. | ||
| 8 | "The Balance of Power" | 31 October 1984 |
| After Arthur's car lot is threatened with a compulsory purchase order, he storms off to the town hall to complain to his councillor. But the latter has just died and an election is pending. Arthur decides to stand as an independent 'law and order' candidate. The opposing parties, realising that Arthur might well be elected and hold the political balance on the council, launch a 'dirty tricks' campaign to discredit him. The police are supplied with fake tip-offs and DS Chisholm is forced to question Arthur about major diamond smuggling – despite knowing that Arthur is really only a small-time operator. Julie, a journalist, writing an article on Terry's boxing experiences, assists with the campaign and sees to it that Lent, a journalist in the pay of the opposition councillors, stays permanently drunk until election day. Arthur wins the election by a landslide, but his win is invalidated when it is revealed that he overspent on his campaign expenses. | ||
| Guest stars: Caroline Langrishe as Julie, Peter Woodthorpe as Jeff Lent, Clifford Rose as Cooke, Brian McDermott as Blakeney, Neville Jason as Rutherford, Nicholas Courtney as Raymond Wilkins, Michael Ripper as Commissionaire, Chris Sullivan as Poker Player, Graham Cull as Taxi Driver. | ||
| 9 | "Around the Corner" | 26 December 1984 |
| Arthur acquires a 'racing' greyhound in settlement of a debt. He is offered a good deal on a consignment of video players by Fred and Ted, mates of conman 'Tasty Tim'. Rycott and Chisholm both independently receive tip-offs about the deal and hope to arrest Arthur for receiving. It turns out that Tim's been conning Fred and Ted. It falls to Terry to track them down and get back Arthur's money. In the meantime, Rycott and Chisholm both try to arrest Arthur, crashing their police cars – which results in a roasting by their boss, DI Norton. | ||
| Guest stars: Colin Farrell as Tasty Tim, Tony Caunter as DI Norton, Brian Capron as Fred, Sidney Kean as Harry. | ||
Series 6 (1985)
[edit]- Broadcast: 4 September – 26 December 1985 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread" | 4 September 1985 |
| Arthur gives some landscaping work to a group of ex-criminals, who the Vicar of St Chad's, is (thus far, unsuccessfully) trying to persuade to 'go straight'. Whilst they carry out the job, under Terry's unwilling supervision, they also start stealing household goods from the neighbouring houses – which they store in the church vestry. They are found out, but return the items before Chisholm and Jones are able to arrest them. (Episode title spoofs the Biblical quotation "Give us this day our daily bread".) | ||
| Guest stars: James Booth as Godfrey, Avril Elgar as Mrs Bickerton-Jones, David Jackson as Marion, Norman Eshley as Rev. Brian Redwood, Sylvia Kay as Mrs Hurst, Geraldine Alexander as Fiona Hurst, Eric Francis as 'Glue', Nat Jackley as 'Paper', Ellis Dale as Mr Howlett, Patsy Smart as Mrs. Foskitt, Paul Cooper as Ron. | ||
| 2 | "Life in the Fast Food Lane" | 11 September 1985 |
| Arthur buys a consignment of car phones from Joseph McTaggart and his assistant/technician Ozzie, but soon finds out that they're not British Telecom approved. Meanwhile, Terry has started romancing Sarah Bates, not knowing she's the daughter of Sir Ronald Bates, ruthless self-made millionaire owner of 'Bates Bigger Burgers'. To break up Terry and expensively educated Sarah, Bates has him beaten up by thugs. When this doesn't work, he promises ten thousand pounds to Arthur to split them up. But Bates goes bust and escapes to Spain before he can pay the money. With DS Chisholm and a quietly amused DC Jones hot on his trail, Arthur is forced to give the phones back to Ozzie (McTaggart has gone bankrupt and has vanished), who decamps to Glasgow with them, seconds ahead of Chisholm and Jones. (The episode title spoofs the expression "life in the fast lane".) | ||
| Guest stars: Jake D'Arcy as McTaggart, Peter Capaldi as Ozzie, Jan Francis as Sarah Bates, Timothy Carlton as Granger, Benjamin Whitrow as Doctor, David Daker as Sir Ronald Bates, Debbie Arnold as Julie, Royce Mills as Andrew, Howard Attfield as Private Detective. | ||
| 3 | "The Return of the Invincible Man" | 18 September 1985 |
| S and S Clothing is bankrupt – again – and Solly Salmon asks Arthur to arrange a break-in and theft of the cash in the safe so that he can't pay his workers their redundancy entitlements. Mindful of his police record, Terry stays out of it and the job falls to the Beesley brothers and Scotch Harry (previously seen in "The Smaller They Are"). However, Harry bungles the job and ends up in hospital with facial burns. Chisholm and Jones strongly suspect what's happened but can't prove it. Even Terry has a cast-iron alibi. Harry is spirited out of hospital before his bandages come off and returned to his wife – whom he deserted many years before. Solly restarts his business, but Arthur is out of pocket after the events. (The title spoofs the names of horror movie sequels featuring recurring characters, such as The Invisible Man.) | ||
| Guest stars: Phil McCall as Scotch Harry, John Bluthal as Solly, Anne Kristen as Margaret Stuart, Anna Savva as Angie, Pat Roach as Painter, Paul Cooper as Ron, Mike Sarne as Billy Beesley. | ||
| 4 | "Arthur is Dead, Long Live Arthur" | 25 September 1985 |
| Under siege by tax collectors and other creditors, Arthur decides there's only one way out. He disappears, leaving a suicide note, which berates the Inland Revenue for hounding him. The note is found by a newspaper reporter and Arthur becomes a minor celebrity. But unknown to anyone, even Terry, Arthur has gone to ground in a small hotel, disguised as a novelist seeking solitude. Terry is furious with Arthur for not confiding in him. The hotel owner has realised who her mysterious guest is. She is highly insulted, but agrees to play along with the story that Arthur stumbled in one night with amnesia. In return, Arthur gives her the Ford Granada car he'd been driving. Chisholm and Jones don't believe his story, but can't prove otherwise. Most of Arthur's cronies at the Winchester, who had contributed to have a papier-mâché bust of him made, are (fairly) pleased to see him restored to life. (Episode title spoofs the proverb, the King is dead, long live the King.) | ||
| Guest stars: Penny Morrell as Daphne Mount, Mark Farmer as Justin, Jonathan Elsom as Mr Muir, Ben Howard as Second-hand Sid, Robert Austin as Freddy the Fly, Royce Mills as Andrew, Johnnie Wade as Albert, Paul Cooper as Ron, John Alkin as John Beadle, Barry Ewart as 1st Reporter, John Livesey as 2nd Reporter. | ||
| 5 | "From Fulham with Love" | 2 October 1985 |
| Arthur is forced to give Nigel, his wife's skinhead nephew, a job. His only skill appears to be sewing, learned in prison, so he alters a batch of tracksuits that Arthur plans to sell to Sergei, a seaman from a Russian cargo ship in the London Docks. Arthur's mate, Ernie, also wants Arthur to sell the seaman digital watches and personal stereos, but when the deal is made, Arthur is paid in roubles, which his bank won't exchange. The ship's boatswain and political officer, the attractive Natasha, seeks out Terry and gets him and Arthur to track down Sergei, who has gone on a drunken tour of London with Ernie. He seems to want to defect, but before Natasha and his crewmates can persuade him not to, Chisholm arrests the whole party. DCI Norton is furious at a possible diplomatic incident and has them released. (Episode title spoofs the 1963 film, From Russia with Love.) | ||
| Guest stars: Joe Melia as Ernie, Rula Lenska as Natasha, Michael Gothard as Sergei, Tony Caunter as DCI Norton, Jonathan Warren as Nigel, Claire Davenport as Nigel's mum. (Trivia: Dennis Waterman and Rula Lenska would later get married in 1987).[2] | ||
| 6 | "Waiting for Goddard" | 9 October 1985 |
| Albert Goddard, an eccentric recluse, may have inherited a large sum of money. A private detective engages Arthur to locate him, but Albert isn't interested. Seeing the opportunity to make some money, Arthur persuades Goddard to move into one of his rental properties, only to be accused of kidnapping him. Albert eventually receives his legacy of £200,000 after being 'sprung' by Terry, who gives the £45 finder's fee to a very disgruntled Arthur. The episode ends with the two main characters not on good terms, and with their relationship unclear, Terry having resigned – or been sacked – part-way through the episode. (Episode title spoofs the 1952 play, Waiting for Godot.) | ||
| Guest stars: Ronald Fraser as Albert Goddard, Kenneth Cope as 'Scooter', Mel Martin as Caroline Selby, Donald Douglas as Mr. Prosser, Seán Barrett as Mugger. | ||
| TV film | "Minder on the Orient Express" | 25 December 1985 |
| See synopsis at Minder on the Orient Express | ||
| Guest cast: Peter Childs as Detective Sergeant Ronald 'Kenny' Rycott, Patrick Malahide as Detective Sergeant Albert 'Charlie' Chisholm, Ralph Bates as François LeBlanc, Robert Beatty as The Judge, Honor Blackman as Helen Spender, James Coombes as Mark Graves, Maurice Denham as Meredith Gascoyne, Adam Faith as James Crane, James Faulkner as Ted Moore, Ronald Lacey as Harry Ridler, Amanda Pays as Nikki South, Manning Redwood as Angelo Cappelloni, Dennis Edwards as Mr. Dryden, Katherine Schofield as Deborah South, Virginia Wetherell as Debbie South, John Moreno as Claude, Garfield Morgan as Superintendent Mason, Jonathan Kydd as Van Driver. (Episode title spoofs the 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express.) | ||
Series 7 (1988–89)
[edit]- Broadcast: 26 December 1988 – 6 February 1989 (ITV)
- Regular cast: Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, George Cole as Arthur Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| TV film | "An Officer and a Car Salesman" | 26 December 1988 |
| See synopsis at An Officer and a Car Salesman. (Episode title spoofs the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman) | ||
| Patrick Malahide as Albert 'Charlie' Chisholm, Peter Childs as DS Rycott, Michael Povey as DC Jones, Richard Briers as Col. Caplan, Diana Quick as Annie, Mark McManus as Dixon, Simon Williams as Roger, Garfield Morgan as Supt. Mason, George Sweeney as Alfie, Clive Swift as Chisholm's director, Al Hunter Ashton as Bindle, John Judd as Williams, Nigel Miles-Thomas as Mitchell, Gordon Salkilld as Gold refinery manager, Iain Rattray as Police officer, Martin Fisk as Security guard, Sean Blowers as Security guard. | ||
| 1 | "It's a Sorry Lorry Morrie" | 2 January 1989 |
| Business is bad for Arthur; his warehouse is empty and he is driving a clapped-out Ford Granada. He's persuaded to buy a lorry-load of stolen electronic goods. The lorry is parked on a derelict site owned by Fat Charlie. The plan is to collect the goods under cover of darkness, but Arthur discovers too late he's been set up and that the van is the subject of a police stakeout. To make matters worse – Terry's fingerprints are all over it. Self-Inflicted Sid (a severe alcoholic) volunteers to torch the van using petrol, despite concerns that he isn't up to the job. Meanwhile, whilst the police argue over which Sergeant has jurisdiction, Jones and Rycott miss Arthur picking up the goods, but end up accidentally causing Sid's petrol to ignite, destroying the van and the evidence in the process. | ||
| Guest stars: Roy Kinnear as Fat Charlie, Ronald Fraser as Self-Inflicted Sid, James Marcus as Morrie, Garfield Morgan as Supt. Mason, Kenneth Farrington as George, Steve McFadden as Mickey, Claire Toeman as Young Mother, Tom Owen as Keith. | ||
| 2 | "Days of Fines and Closures" | 9 January 1989 |
| Dave fails to return from a coach trip to Folkestone and Terry temporarily takes over running the Winchester. The licence is up for renewal and he has to appear in court to defend the renewal. With DS Rycott pushing for the refusal of the licence, Arthur successfully argues for the renewal of the licence, with covert assistance from DS Jones, who wants the club kept open. Dave returns, having been arrested whilst drunk – in Hamburg. (Episode title spoofs the 1962 film Days of Wine and Roses.) | ||
| Guest stars: George Baker as Cooper, Patricia Maynard as Lucy Harris, Thorley Walters as The Magistrate, Tony Selby as Muldoon, Del Henney as Tombo, Michael Melia as Fletcher, John Nettleton as William Shanks, Tim Barrett as Auctioneer. | ||
| 3 | "Fatal Impression" | 16 January 1989 |
| Patrick Riley, a supposedly reformed gambler, owes Arthur and others over thirteen thousand pounds in gambling debts – but he refuses to leave his house and face his creditors. When they stake out his house in Hounslow, his wife announces that he's just died. On entering the house, Arthur notices Riley's impression on the sheet where the body has been lying and decides that it can be promoted as a religious miracle, with a 'nice little earner' to be made. But no one, not even the local newspaper reporter, will take it seriously and the plan comes to nothing. Arthur takes the sheet home and his wife innocently washes it. The police arrest Riley and his wife trying to skip the country. Whilst this is going on, Terry gives refuge to a battered wife, a former girlfriend of his, and considers making it a permanent arrangement, but she is reconciled to her husband. (The title spoofs the 1987 film Fatal Attraction.) | ||
| Guest stars: Billy Connolly as Tick Tack, Dick Sullivan as Riley, Valerie Lilley as Devla Riley, Sheila Steafel as the Pub singer, Stephen Cuttle as Little Steve, Kim Thomson as Sylvie, Ian Redford as Stevo, John Abineri as Mr Marsden. | ||
| 4 | "The Last Video Show" | 23 January 1989 |
| Big-time gangster Jack Last has a compromising video of corrupt DI Dyer and colleagues at his villa in Spain. He keeps the video at home, but his wife Sandra innocently returns it in a different cover to the video-hire shop "Daley Videos', which Arthur is running. Last tries to find the video for blackmail purposes, and eventually tracks it to the shop and threatens Arthur if the video isn't produced. They eventually hand it over, but as insurance, they make a copy. Terry returns the video to Last and the copy to Dyer. But when they view the tapes, they find that Arthur has messed up the recording and the compromising film has been taped over with a children's cartoon. (The episode title spoofs the 1971 film The Last Picture Show.) | ||
| Guest stars: Brian Blessed as DI Dyer, Garfield Morgan as Supt Mason, Ian McShane as Jack Last, Rula Lenska as Sandra Last, Patrick Ryecart as Nigel, Tony Vogel as Det. Sgt. Bradshaw, David Arlen as Charlie, Milton Johns as Mr. Sinclair, Emma Wray as Tracy. | ||
| 5 | "Fiddler on the Hoof" | 30 January 1989 |
| A security depository has been turned over. Arthur's safety deposit box (containing money no-one knows about) has not been touched but the one that bagman Maltese Tony is supposed to open has been emptied. Desperate to fulfil his contract, Tony breaks into Arthur's lock-up, takes part of the money and delivers it to his contact. Tony is beaten up by a gangland mobster whose brother he landed in jail. (The episode title spoofs the 1971 film Fiddler on the Roof.) | ||
| Guest stars: Michael Kitchen as 'Maltese' Tony Manzoni, Don Henderson as Billy Lynch, Billy Murray as Mick, Gerald Campion as Cafe Owner, John Tordoff as Shop Assistant, David Simeon as Assistant Manager, Lloyd McGuire as Kramer's Man. | ||
| 6 | "The Wrong Goodbye" | 6 February 1989 |
| Arthur's bank manager won't extend his already considerable overdraft and his car lot, lock-up and goods have been seized for non-payment. He contemplates retirement, but he hasn't paid National Insurance since 1957, so does not qualify for a state pension. Terry tries unsuccessfully to get a bank loan to buy Arthur out, but then an attractive offer comes from entrepreneur Guy Wheeler to buy the entire business. But Guy is conspiring with a corrupt town planning officer and the bank manager – fellow Freemasons – to get Arthur's land cheaply so that it can be sold to build a supermarket. Arthur does the deal anyway, contemplating a comfortable retirement. His accountant explains that after capital gains tax and payment of his debts, he'll be virtually penniless. Arthur and his lawyer try desperately to withdraw from the deal, but this would equally cost them big money and Arthur would still be penniless after paying penalties. Terry's current girlfriend, a clerk in the council planning office, overhears what's going on and informs Terry who speaks to DS Jones. Jones too is a Freemason, and although he is loath to assist Arthur, he can't ignore what he's learned. He has 'a little chat' with his fellow masons and as a result, it is Wheeler who withdraws from the agreement. So in the end, Arthur not only retains his business but makes some extra money from the deal. (The episode title spoofs the 1973 film The Long Goodbye.) | ||
| Guest stars: Paul Eddington as Guy Wheeler, Simon Cadell as William Pierce, the bank manager, Michael Lees as Tony Davis, Iain Cuthbertson as McKenna, Mark Farmer as Justin, Cassie Stuart as Veronica, Royce Mills as Andrew, Morris Perry as DHSS Manager, Ray Mort as Billy. | ||
Series 8 (1991)
[edit]- Broadcast: 5 September – 25 December 1991 (ITV)
- Regular cast: George Cole as Arthur Daley, Gary Webster as Ray Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris.
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Entrepreneur" | 5 September 1991 |
| Terry marries and leaves for Australia without telling anyone, leaving Arthur unprotected and vulnerable to opportunists. One gang even tries to offer 'protection' to the Winchester club. Arthur is asked to give his nephew Ray a job and after he proves himself as tough as Terry was, he becomes Arthur's new minder and assistant. Ray finds his French language skills of use when he is sent to Brussels to pick up a car, which DS Morley has ordered. Ray suspects that the car is being used for nefarious purposes and saves Arthur from being arrested for drug trafficking. (The title spoofs the 1962 film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.) | ||
| Guest stars: Roberta Taylor as Pat Norris, Raymond Brody as Bouncing Morry, Lill Roughley as Doreen Daley, Allie Byrne as Lucy, Tim Barker as Wilf. | ||
| 2 | "A Bouquet of Barbed Wine" | 12 September 1991 |
| Arthur is persuaded by Herbie Collins to buy a large consignment of British wine allegedly made by the 'Blessed Brothers of Saint Bidolph' in Kent. Before Arthur can collect the wine, Collins is arrested and the warehouse chained up prior to an inventory being taken. Ray and Arthur break in and take the cases they have already paid for. Arthur holds an official launch of 'Bulldog Wines PLC' at the Winchester, but discovers that all the wine has been 'corked' and is unsaleable. So he and Ray break back into the warehouse and return the wine. In doing so, he is stuck between floors on a broken-down lift. In the morning, DS Morley and DC Park find him still stuck in the lift. (The title spoofs the 1976 TV series A Bouquet of Barbed Wire.) | ||
| Guest stars: Philip McGough as Herbie Collins, Emma Cunningham as Gloria, Charlie Roe as Parnham, Martyn Read as Policeman. | ||
| 3 | "Whatever Happened to Her Indoors" | 19 September 1991 |
| Arthur's bank won't extend his already large overdraft, the telephone and electricity in the lock-up have been cut off and the local council won't let him fly a special flag on the flagpole in his car lot. Then Mrs Daley disappears without a word. Whilst Arthur is taken to court by the council, Morley and Park investigate his wife's disappearance. Arthur, defending himself in court, successfully has the case dismissed. But Morley has convinced himself that Arthur has killed his wife and buried her under a concrete slab on the car lot. Mrs Daley finally reappears; she'd decided, without telling anyone, to go to a health farm. The flagpole is re-erected, but then nicked. (The title spoofs the 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.) | ||
| Guest stars: Sydney Livingstone as Bert Daley, Lill Roughley as Doreen Daley, George Costigan as Billy, Cherry Gillespie as Lynn, Kevin McNally as Richards, Philip Glenister as Greg Hunt | ||
| 4 | "Three Cons Make a Mountain" | 26 September 1991 |
| Three men who have been conned by Arthur decide to pool their resources to get back at him. He's drawn into a card game for big money, and is landed with a Trabant, which is worth very little. Then he bids at an auction, thinking that he's buying furniture but finds himself buying a greyhound that proves to be a non-runner. Then Ray sells a car, taking a piano in part-exchange, thinking it's a rare and valuable item, but it proves to be worth only a hundred pounds. Arthur begins to realise who is behind the con and sets out to turn the tables on them. The greyhound proves its worth at a stud farm, and the car is sold back to the man who sold it to Arthur – at ten thousand pounds. And Arthur presents the piano to the Winchester. (The title spoofs the 1954 film – and well-known song – Three Coins in the Fountain.) | ||
| Guest stars: David Ryall as Ashley Brown, Dermot Crowley as Nick Rutherford, Geoffrey Greenhill as Big Mike, Raymond Brody as Bouncing Morry, Allie Byrne as Lucy, Peter Craze as Middleton, Terence Harvey as Auctioneer, David Jackson as Mr. Fletcher, Jonny Lee Miller as Auctioneer's Assistant. | ||
| 5 | "Guess Who's Coming to Pinner" | 3 October 1991 |
| Arthur is invited to the funeral of big-time gangster Charlie Johnson and the wake afterwards. The funeral is being carefully observed by police and the palatial Johnson home in Pinner is bugged. Police identify Tommy Hambury, a major crook returned after many years abroad and conclude that something major is being planned. Ray starts romancing Joanna, a friend of the family, who is later revealed to be an undercover police officer. Tommy tells Arthur that he has in mind a really major operation – even bigger than The Great Train Robbery – and wants Arthur in on it. But Arthur gets so drunk that next morning, he can't remember what was said. As Arthur desperately tries to remember, even consulting a psychiatrist, consignments of goods start to appear at the lock-up, including armoured Land Rovers, scuba gear and welding equipment – all apparently paid for by Tommy. Finally, Tommy demands a meeting with Arthur at midnight at the end of Southend pier. Revealing that he hadn't actually discussed any details with Arthur, he then falls off the end of the pier and is drowned. So the nature of the proposed operation remains unknown. The following day, Arthur attempts to sell an acquaintance the goods at Tommy's funeral. (The title spoofs the 1967 film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?) | ||
| Guest stars: Michael Gambon as Tommy Hambury, Susan Tracy as Mrs Johnson, Gina McKee as Joanna | ||
| 6 | "The Last Temptation of Daley" | 10 October 1991 |
| Arthur's doctor wants him to give up alcohol and tobacco if he wants to avoid a stomach ulcer, but this causes Arthur even more stress and he begins to believe that everyone's after him. The feeling is reinforced when building contractor Benny McLeish threatens him over a paint deal that goes sour. Arthur becomes so paranoid that he demands police protection. But Ray has a better idea. (The title spoofs the 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ.) | ||
| Guest stars: Andrew McCulloch as Benny McLeish, Terrence Hardiman as Dr Hardman, Roger Brierley as Donald, Arthur Whybrow as Landlord | ||
| 7 | "A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in Shepherds Bush" | 17 October 1991 |
| Bookmaker Stan Sorrell and Billy from Bradford have a £10,000 bet on a pigeon race from London to Bradford. Billy asks Arthur to lend him Ray for this job, so Ray goes to Bradford with Billy. Whilst there, he falls heavily for Sorrell's daughter Donna. Back in London, Ray starts thinking about moving to Bradford to be with Donna. Arthur sets up Donna in a nightclub with 'Nostalgic' to break up the budding romance. The race is nearly cancelled when Arthur accidentally releases Billy's pigeon. But all goes well (just) and Billy's pigeon wins the race. Ray returns to Arthur's employ sadder and wiser. (The title spoofs the proverb "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".) | ||
| Guest stars: George Costigan as Billy from Bradford, Willie Ross as Stan Sorrell, Gabrielle Cowburn as Donna Sorrell, Nick Reding as 'Nostalgic', Stephen Churchett as Head Waiter, Joe Belcher as Operator | ||
| 8 | "Him Indoors" | 24 October 1991 |
| Arthur sets himself up as a 'security consultant', selling security alarms to business premises. He recruits Ron the Burglar, a reformed burglar, for his hard-won expertise, but when Ron installs a system on Arthur's lock-up, it immediately malfunctions. Arthur is unable to leave the premises and he's forced to stay there all night. A series of break-ins at premises that have installed Arthur's equipment soon arouse the suspicions of the police and Morley and Park investigate. Ray discovers that Ron has let his old habits get the better of him and he and Ron are arrested. Arthur has to come up with a convincing story to get them off the hook. | ||
| Guest stars: Simon Rouse as Inspector York, Kenneth Colley as Ron | ||
| 9 | "The Greatest Show in Willesden" | 31 October 1991 |
| Arthur and Monty Hinchcliffe book a former music hall act for the "British Volunteer" – retired ventriloquist 'Professor Pickford and Mystic Micky'. The act goes down well with the punters – but Tommy Pickford suffers from heart trouble and can't continue the act every night. Then some karaoke gear that Arthur's rented from Mrs Gabadini is stolen from his van. He sees dire consequences from admitting its loss to Mrs Gabadini and her sons, but then Ray strikes lucky. He does a deal with dodgy wheeler-dealer club owner Barry to sell the karaoke machine, which he stole, to the Gabadinis. They recognise it as their own equipment, and Arthur is off the hook. (The episode title spoofs Dan Rice's circus (1830s-1860s), first described by an Arkansas paper as "The Greatest Show on Earth".) | ||
| Guest stars: Steven O'Donnell as Barry the Barrel, John Cater as Tommy Pickford, Harry Landis as Monty Hinchcliffe, Frank Mills as Len, Pauline Letts as Mrs Gabadini, Emma Cunningham as Gloria, James Ottaway as Percy. | ||
| 10 | "Too Many Crooks" | 7 November 1991 |
| Gangland boss Billy Meadows comes to London from Birmingham for a meet with his estranged brother Vinnie to locate Henri, a French chef who has got his daughter pregnant. Henri is working for 'Daley Catering' who are about to cater for a police retirement party. He is kidnapped and returned to Birmingham for a shotgun wedding, but all's not well with Arthur. A police Superintendent at the party is admitted to hospital with possible food poisoning. (The episode title spoofs the proverb "Too many cooks spoil the broth".) | ||
| Guest stars: Trevor Byfield as Billy Meadows, David Sibley as Vinnie Meadows, David Marrick as Henri, Godfrey James as Arnie. (Susannah Corbett appears in several scenes as Billy's daughter Sadie, but never speaks). | ||
| 11 | "The Odds Couple" | 14 November 1991 |
| Former casino owner Lewis Nelson gives Ray the job of making sure that his wife Lorna, a compulsive gambler, doesn't visit a casino (where she habitually makes a loss). But she persuades Arthur to do her gambling for her, using her money and her 'system'. Arthur is initially successful but then the system instructions disappear and he starts losing heavily. To make matters worse, the flirty Lorna escapes Ray's care and turns up at the casino. Lewis steals back Lorna's losses and suspicion falls on Arthur, who contrives to pay the money back to the casino by deliberately losing. (The episode title spoofs the 1978 film The Odd Couple.) | ||
| Guest stars: Lee Montague as Lewis Nelson, Hetty Baynes as Lorna Nelson, Joseph Long as Carlo, Neale Goodrum as Irksome Eric. | ||
| 12 | "The Coach That Came in from the Cold" | 21 November 1991 |
| DS Morley is ordered to sell a police bus to Arthur so that their accounts will balance. The latter starts using it for tourist purposes; taking punters through 'The London The Tourist Never Sees'. The bus breaks down and the whole tour ends up at the Winchester. They become spectators at a fight between Denny Willis and Ray, which pleases them greatly and they are satisfied to have had their money's worth. In the meantime, Arthur is trying to join an exclusive golf club. Ray assists the club's catering manageress to expose the current captain's underhand scheme to sell the club's land for executive apartments. Arthur is also being hounded by Denny Willis, to whom he owes a rather large sum of money. (The episode title spoofs the 1965 film The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.) | ||
| Guest stars: Trevor Peacock as 'Previous', Geoffrey Whitehead as Superintendent Roden, Lisa Jacobs as Lorraine, Patrick Godfrey as Major Beatty, Rory Edwards as Denny Willis, Clive Kneller as Rambo. (Stephen Tompkinson as DC Park is credited, but doesn't actually appear in this episode) | ||
| 13 | "The Cruel Canal" | 25 December 1991 |
| When his van breaks down, Arthur resorts to canals to transport a cargo of stolen video players to a fence known as 'Two-Tone'. He rents a narrowboat and he and Ray proceed to take the goods from Greenford to Limehouse via the Grand Union Canal and Regent's Canal. As they near their destination, the boat gets stuck under a low bridge. Then they ram at speed into the jetty and the goods are lost in the canal. In the meantime, Arthur is being dogged by ex-boxer Big Dai who thinks that Arthur has nicked his precious collection of boxing videos. (The episode title spoofs the 1953 film The Cruel Sea.) | ||
| Guest stars: Neil Phillips as 'Two-Tone', Anthony O'Donnell as Big Dai, Cathy Murphy as Vicky, Trevor Cooper as Derek, Michael Goldie as Freddie. | ||
Series 9 (1993)
[edit]- Broadcast 7 January 1993 – 1 April 1993 (ITV)
- Regular cast: George Cole as Arthur Daley, Gary Webster as Ray Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "I'll Never Forget Whats’ername" | 7 January 1993 |
| Marty 'Brains' Goldblum, serving a sentence at an open prison, escapes and turns to Arthur for help. Knowing Marty's vast knowledge, Arthur decides to use him as a team member in a pub quiz. But Marty has a minor nervous breakdown and can't go through with the quiz. Ray persuades him to give himself up to police, which he does. The quiz is under way with only Dave and Arthur competing and they're losing heavily. Almost at the last moment, Ray turns up with DC Field (who owes him a favour) and their combined knowledge puts them equal with the opposition. With one tiebreaker to go, Arthur has the answer – identifying a piece of music played by Albert Sandler – and wins for the Winchester. (The episode title spoofs the 1967 film I'll never forget What's 'Isname.) | ||
| Guest stars: Allan Corduner as Marty Goldblum, Kenneth Cranham as Walter, John Barrard as Baths Attendant. | ||
| 2 | "No Way to Treat a Daley" | 14 January 1993 |
| Arthur starts using advertising balloons, but businessman Tony Pike sees himself as having cornered the market for balloons, and sends Warren, his minder, to kidnap Arthur. He takes him to an abandoned power station near the banks of the Thames for 'a night on the marshes' – a night of psychological torture followed by maiming by his thugs. Whilst Ray and Les (who's also suffered at Pike's hands), try to track down Arthur, the latter manages to establish a rapport with Warren. He allows Arthur to escape and when Ray arrives, he meets only Pike, whom he finds to be really a coward. Warren is now a changed man with a new outlook on life, thanks to Arthur's philosophy. (The episode title spoofs the 1968 film No Way to Treat a Lady.) | ||
| Guest stars: Philip Martin Brown as Tony Pike, Desmond McNamara as Les, Richard Ridings as Warren | ||
| 3 | "Uneasy Rider" | 21 January 1993 |
| Arthur starts a motorbike courier business, 'The Daley Post', using very secondhand equipment and employing moonlighting bikers, including 'Rabbit', the longest-established bike courier in London. Many of their customers are passed onto them by the Warnock brothers, ostensibly as they want to wind back their own business. However, Ray smells a rat; many of the delivery addresses don't exist, and some of the undeliverable parcels are found to contain forged passports, tickets and cash. Before the police can get onto them, the business is quickly closed down, and a plan devised to get back at the brothers who have set them up. (The episode title spoofs the 1969 film Easy Rider.) | ||
| Guest stars: Brian Hibbard as 'Rabbit', Ian Bartholomew as Ralphy, Nick Dunning as Keef, Elaine Lordan as Trish, Annie Lambert as Laura Kaye, Jeff Rawle as Jehovah's Witness. | ||
| 4 | "Looking for Mr. Goodtime" | 28 January 1993 |
| Whilst searching for car dealership Good Time Motors, Arthur is arrested for kerb crawling, soliciting a prostitute and assaulting a police officer. Despite DS Morley's opinion that Arthur would be incapable of such offences, DS Tomkins is determined to proceed with the case. Arthur insists on defending himself in court.
As the trial proceeds, Ray seeks out the elusive Good Time Motors and eventually finds the premises under an out-of-date sign. He persuades the owner to appear in court as a defence witness, and the prosecution withdraw all charges. (The episode title spoofs the 1977 film Looking for Mr Goodbar.) | ||
| Guest stars: Jim Carter as Tomkins, René Zagger as Stuart, Colin Jeavons as Lockwood, Arthur's lawyer, David Belcher as Tony Goodtime, Alan Rowe as Magistrate, Colin Spaull as John. | ||
| 5 | "Opportunity Knocks and Bruises" | 4 February 1993 |
| Arthur sells some surplus stock to Alexei Nolan, a fairground owner, in exchange for a slot machine, but takes the wrong machine. He discovers that it's full of Irish money, and realises that Nolan is laundering part of the proceeds from a mint robbery some years previously. Arthur manages to persuade DS Morley of his innocence and an operation is set up to arrest Nolan and his cronies. (The episode title refers to the saying "Opportunity knocks but once" and spoofs the television series Opportunity Knocks.) | ||
| Guest stars: Sean McGinley as Alexei Nolan, Natalie Roles as Amanda, Chris Matthews as Cecil. | ||
| 6 | "Gone with the Winchester" | 11 February 1993 |
| Toby 'Jug' Johnson is released from prison after many years and a drunken reunion begins at the Winchester between him, Arthur and Dave, who were members of the same gang in their youth, the 'Brentford Backhanders'. Arthur begins to suspect that Dave is setting up a rival business with another gang member, and they fall out—so Arthur starts a rival club and a price war erupts. Ray is eventually able to arrange a mediation, and peace is restored. (The episode title spoofs the 1939 film Gone With the Wind.) | ||
| Guest stars: James Booth as Toby 'Jug', Frank Mills as Len, Sidney Livingstone as Bert. | ||
| 7 | "How to Succeed in Business without Really Retiring" | 18 February 1993 |
| Arthur decides to retire and leaves Ray in charge. He is initially successful, computerising the records and expanding business, but he doesn't have Arthur's hard-won knowledge of people and their habits. Ray falls victim to a sting operation involving jewellery, and Arthur, who's become bored with retirement anyway, returns to the business to sort out the mess. (The episode title spoofs the 1967 film How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.) | ||
| Guest stars: Liz Fraser as Delilah, John Normington as Hapless Harry, John Halstead as Norman, Helen Masters as Janice. | ||
| 8 | "The Roof of All Evil" | 25 February 1993 |
| Seeing the fashion for television satellite dishes, Arthur employs Logie Lawson, a self-trained electronics 'expert', to install ex-East German army dishes – but the instructions are all in German and they mess up their first job. They get an order to install one on the house of 'Fingers' Rossetti, who has a very bad reputation and a very short temper. The installation goes badly wrong and both Arthur and Logie, who has a fear of heights, are stranded on the roof. Meanwhile, Ray gets involved in Rosetti's daughters tangled love-life. (The title refers to the Biblical line, "The love of money is the root of all evil".) | ||
| Guest stars: Pete Postlethwaite as Eric 'Logie' Lawson, Philip Locke as Franco 'Fingers' Rosetti, Liza Walker as Isabella Rosetti. | ||
| 9 | "Last Orders at the Winchester" | 4 March 1993 |
| To celebrate Dave's 25 years at the Winchester, Arthur offers to get the club redecorated. He gives the job to 'Heart Attack' – but the latter promptly breaks through a bearing wall and the club is forced to close down. To raise the money for repairs, Arthur organises a fundraiser football match against a police team, refereed by DS Morley. Then 'Heart Attack', who'd vanished, reappears and hands over the money for the repairs, which he's stolen from Vic, a rival club owner and police informer. To allay police suspicions, an auction is held in order to 'launder' the money. | ||
| Guest stars: Geoffrey Hutchings as Heart Attack, Gavin Richards as Vic, James Saxon as Harry, George Sweeney as Little Pete, George Raistrick as Monty, Basil Moss as Vicar. | ||
| 10 | "Cars and Pints and Pains" | 11 March 1993 |
| After not selling a car for several weeks, Arthur decides to rent them out instead. This ploy is successful, and soon all but one have been rented – including Arthur's own Daimler. One punter is late in returning his Vauxhall Cavalier, and Ray and his friend Winston are forced to repossess it. This leads to accusations of theft, especially when the one car left on the lot – a MK2 Ford Cortina that Arthur has to drive – is found to have been stolen. Arthur's car is tracked by police whilst it is driven around the country, but is finally returned to the car lot. (The title spoofs the 1965 hit song "Trains and Boats and Planes".) | ||
| Guest stars: Deobia Oparei as Winston. | ||
| 11 | "The Great Trilby" | 18 March 1993 |
| A private detective, Bill McCabe, arrives from Australia to investigate a claim that Arthur is heir to a fortune left by a distant relative, Joshua Daley, who's died intestate. Ray and Arthur carry out some genealogical research at the Family Records Centre (then located at St. Catherine's House and now merged with the National Archives), and also search parish records. They finally locate what appears to be clinching evidence of Arthur's claim to be the last surviving descendant of the deceased's family. But the executors require the inheritor to be 'of good character', and Arthur has just been charged with unauthorised use of parking infringement notices (which are also forged). With big money at stake, Ray prevails upon DC Field to persuade DS Morley to drop the charges. On Arthur's promise to pay a sum equivalent to the probable fine into police benevolent funds, Morley does so. Arthur and Ray receive business-class tickets to Australia to claim the inheritance. (The title spoofs the 1925 novel – and subsequent film – The Great Gatsby.) | ||
| Guest stars: Simon Chilvers as Bill McCabe, Frank Baker as Spiky | ||
| 12 | "A Taste of Money" | 25 March 1993 |
| Expecting a massive windfall from his unknown Australian relative, Arthur prepares to fly to Sydney with Ray. On arrival, they are met by Bill McCabe and booked into an expensive hotel. At the lawyer's office, they discover that there are several claimants to the estate of great-uncle Joshua Daley. Arthur and Ray visit the Daley estate; Paradise Springs; a largely derelict homestead on several thousand acres of outback land – land that's potentially valuable for grazing and possibly mineral rights. But a crooked businessman wants to get his hands on it and sends in another claimant with fake identity and documents. In the event, Joshua's legitimate son (there were several illegitimate children) is the recipient of the estate. Arthur now discovers that he has been given only one-way flight tickets and is also unable to meet his massive hotel bill. (The title spoofs the 1958 play -and subsequent film- A Taste of Honey.) | ||
| Guest stars: Simon Chilvers as Bill McCabe, Bill Hunter as Reid, Nikki Coghill as Susan Hamilton | ||
| 13 | "For a Few Dollars More" | 1 April 1993 |
| Marooned in Sydney and unable to pay their hotel bills or airfares home, Ray and Arthur move into a cheap backpackers hostel. Ray gets some bar work and Arthur falls in with Derek Collins and his daughter Robyn, small-time street dealers and receivers of stolen goods, whose methods he is very familiar with. He starts street trading himself and makes some money, but the police soon catch up with him. Glad to see the back of him, they give him forty-eight hours to leave Australia. Then Reid mistakes Arthur for a rival big-time drug smuggler, and gives him twenty-four hours to get out of town. By now, they've raised enough to pay their bills and with Robyn's help get a free stand-by courier airfare to London and thankfully fly home. (The title refers to the 1965 film For a Few Dollars More.) | ||
| Guest stars: Bill Hunter as Reid, Roy Billing as DS Davis, Terry Gill as Derek Collins, Danielle Spencer as Robyn Collins, Mark Strickson as Swan | ||
Series 10 (1994)
[edit]- Broadcast 6 January 1994 – 10 March 1994
- Regular cast: George Cole as Arthur Daley, Gary Webster as Ray Daley, Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris
| Episode | Title | First aired |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "A Fridge Too Far" | 6 January 1994 |
| To sell a consignment of mopeds to The Pizza Man (an unseen character), Arthur gets involved in complicated money-juggling. He has pawned his wife's jewellery to fund the purchase, but instead uses the cash to buy a lorry-load of fridge-freezers at a knockdown price. But when one of them is proved to be faulty and nearly burns down the house of Mervyn Krawitz, who was the planned supplier of the said mopeds, Mervyn withholds them and Arthur's stuck. To get liquid again, he fakes a robbery and then a fire. The fridge-freezers, all of which are faulty anyway, go up in smoke, the insurance company (reluctantly) pay up, and the money goes to pay for the mopeds to be sold to The Pizza Man. But how will he redeem the jewellery before 'Er Indoors' finds out? (The title spoofs the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.) | ||
| Guest stars: Linal Haft as Mervyn Krawitz, Dilys Watling as Maureen Krawitz, Lesley Duff as Lucy Conti, Tony Steedman as Tewkesbury, Shaun Dingwall as Wayne, Jim McManus as Brian, Christopher Owen as Mr. Gordon | ||
| 2 | "Another Case of Van Blank" | 13 January 1994 |
| To take advantage of new rules concerning duty-free alcoholic drinks, Arthur, Ray and Dave take a van to Calais, planning to stock up on cheap booze. Whilst Ray and Dave go to a hypermarket, Arthur has a meet with Henry/Henri, a former mate, and gets unwittingly drawn into breaking into a liquor warehouse. Arrested by French police who don't believe his story, he spends the night in jail. Meanwhile, Ray asks Madeleine, an attractive café owner who thought Arthur was a former British soldier she had an affair with in the War, to assist. They manage to convince the sceptical police that Arthur is innocent and this is confirmed when Henry turns himself in. In the meantime, the liquor from the hypermarket is stolen from the van. They return broke and empty-handed to Dover, where customs suspect drug trafficking and start to dismantle the van. | ||
| Guest stars: Mylène Demongeot as Madeleine, Olivier Pierre as Inspector Rochelle, David Simeon as Henry Saunders, Peter Cleall as Wally, John Leeson as Passport Officer | ||
| 3 | "All Things Brighton Beautiful" | 20 January 1994 |
| Businessman Sydney Myers has himself transported in a packing case to Arthur's lockup. He had paid a skinhead to murder him after learning that he had terminal cancer, but when the diagnosis was proved false, he has tried to keep clear of the potential murderer. Arthur spirits him away to Brighton in a caravan to hide him, but the caravan catches fire and is lost over a cliff. Both he and Arthur are now bereft of any money or documents. Arthur can't even contact Ray and in desperation they turn to the Salvation Army, who feed and house them. They meet a recently released prisoner and psychopath Bernie the Bosh, who Sydney fears is out to kill him, but he's reformed and become a Born Again Christian. The trio celebrate by joining in the singing of Onward, Christian Soldiers at the Salvation Army hostel. (The title spoofs the Anglican hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful.) | ||
| Guest stars: Andrew Sachs as Sidney Myers, Peter Kelly as Bernie the Bosh, Sheila Steafel as Sadie Myers | ||
| Note: This episode was listed by TV Times as the 100th episode of Minder (not counting the 1983 Minder's Christmas Bonus). | ||
| 4 | "One Flew Over the Parents' Nest" | 27 January 1994 |
| Whilst his parents are on holiday in Spain, Ray, driving Bert's taxi, picks up Susie, an attractive girl who claims to be on the run from a violent husband. Arthur, scenting a 'nice little earner', installs her in Bert and Doreen's house. She starts working from the house, claiming to be a market researcher, but is a prostitute on the run from Manchester police. She has had some very high-profile clients and fears not only the police but a gang of thugs. And to top it all, Arthur is arrested for running a brothel. (The title spoofs the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.) | ||
| Guest stars: Susannah Doyle as Susie, John Bowler as DI Styles, Tony Robinson as Willie the Weed, Bernard Kay as Cronin, Martyn Whitby as Aldridge | ||
| 5 | "The Immaculate Contraption" | 3 February 1994 |
| A nun buys an Austin Allegro from Arthur's car lot, despite Arthur knowing it's clapped out and overpriced. Then things start going wrong with his attempts to supply equipment – Jacuzzis – to Björn, the manager at Jorgensen's new stress reduction clinic. He's convinced that divine retribution is to blame and sends Ray to the convent with instructions to put the car in good order – whatever the cost. The clinic equipment is duly installed and starts working the very moment Jorgensen arrives from America. Arthur believes that he's been vindicated. (The title spoofs the Madonna album The Immaculate Collection, itself a spoofing of Roman Catholic belief the Immaculate Conception.) | ||
| Guest stars: Metin Yenal as Björn, Frances Cuka as Sister Angelica, Edda Sharpe as Sister Virginia, Peter Shorey as Hacksaw Harry, Kevork Malikyan as Chico, Jerry Harte as Jorgensen | ||
| 6 | "All Quiet on the West End Front" | 10 February 1994 |
| Arthur takes over a booth at a Business Expo, and sets up as a provider of services to busy executives – West End theatre visits, casinos, hard-to-get tickets for booked out shows etc. The initial attempt is a disaster, but another one goes fairly well with satisfied customers. This arouses the ire of another whose ideas he's pinched. Ray is drawn into a fight with a hyperactive casino owner and also tries unsuccessfully to romance the Expo manageress. This arouses the jealousy of his current girlfriend, a jazz singer. (The title spoofs the 1930 film All Quiet on the Western Front.) | ||
| Guest stars: Ian McNeice as Hargreaves, Natascha McElhone as Vanessa, Samantha Janus as Marian Prince | ||
| 7 | "The Great Depression of 1994" | 17 February 1994 |
| Ray's Uncle Brian is suffering from what appears to be deep depression and won't talk to anyone about it. Arthur seeks advice from a successful businessman who suffers similarly but has managed to live with it. Meanwhile, he sells a car to a punter, a retired Detective Inspector, who also suffers from depression since being dismissed for corruption. The man returns to the Winchester, on which site the house he was born in once stood, locks himself in the toilet and refuses to come out. Despite his newly found knowledge, Arthur can't communicate with him and has to call police and a doctor to get him out. (Title spoofs The Great Depression of 1929 which was a severe worldwide economic depression that began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s.) | ||
| Guest stars: Peter Jones as ex-DI Henry Keys, Barry Jackson as Brian, Amelda Brown as Heather, James Warrior as DS Richard Rogerson, Robert Stephens as Percy Vallins | ||
| NOTE: Barry Jackson previously appeared as 'Mournful Morris' in the episode "If Money Be The Food of Love, Play on". | ||
| 8 | "On the Autofront" | 24 February 1994 |
| A price war has erupted and the 'gentleman's agreement' between Daley Motors and the former owner of a nearby car dealership is violated after moneylender Don Gedley takes over. Arthur attempts to increase business by radio advertising, but can only afford to use amateur announcers on a local pirate radio station. Grant Gedley, a thrusting young executive determined to prove himself to his father, tries to sabotage Arthur by setting him up with police on hit-and-run charges. Anxious to keep the peace and equally anxious to keep his son out of trouble, Don proposes that Arthur pleads guilty to all charges, in return for paying his fine. However, Grant won't cooperate, and violence is the result. (The title spoofs the 1954 film On the Waterfront.) | ||
| Guest stars: Godfrey Jackman as Don Gedley, Perry Fenwick as Grant Gedley, Jim Carter as DS Tomkins, Ian Thompson as Trevor Carson | ||
| 9 | "Bring Me the Head of Arthur Daley" | 3 March 1994 |
| Violent bank robber Charlie Knowles, a life prisoner, has decided to get even with his former partners who all received lighter sentences. Phelan, his former quartermaster and 'outside man' sets them all up and they get extra jail time. Arthur, who sold him the getaway car that broke down and allowed police to arrest them, is set up on dangerous driving charges and cops a sentence of 100 hours community service. Despite the evidence, DS Rogerson isn't convinced of Arthur's guilt and Ray helps him to expose the set-up. It emerges that Phelan, who originally 'cooperated' with police, also double-crossed Knowles. Phelan is arrested, but Knowles dies in prison. (The title spoofs the 1974 film Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.) | ||
| Guest stars: Stratford Johns as Knowles, Kenneth Cope as Phelan, James Warrior as DS Rogerson, Phyllida Law as Magistrate, Jack Watson as Hammer Callaghan, Alan Ford as Bennett, Desmond McNamara as Gossip, Sebastian Abineri as Prison Officer, Tim Munro as Doctor, Jeff Nuttall as Rossitor, Tim Potter as Lionel, Stephen Tate as DC Fitzgibbon | ||
| 10 | "The Long Good Thursday" | 10 March 1994 |
| Café owner Luigi is opening a mafia-themed restaurant, the 'Cosa Noshtra' with Arthur's financial backing. On the evening before the grand opening, 'Cranky Frankie' Connor escapes from prison and holds Arthur at gunpoint in his lockup. He demands to see Rosie, his wife, whom he suspects of having an affair with Luigi. Luigi's wife Carla also has her suspicions. After a night in the lockup, Arthur persuades Frankie, now angry and highly emotional, to be driven to the Winchester to have it out with Rosie. But Rosie will have none of it and informs the police. Arthur is arrested for harbouring Frankie and Dave and Ray are also arrested. In the end, they are driven off in a police van, with Arthur bemoaning his fate. (The title spoofs the 1980 film The Long Good Friday.) | ||
| Guest stars: Matthew Scurfield as Frankie, Chris Sanders as Luigi, Mary Maddox as Carla, Jean Warren as Rosie | ||
Series 11 (2009)
[edit]| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions)[3] |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Better the Devil You Know" | Tim Loane | David Innes Edwards | 2.90m | 4 February 2009 | |
|
'Businessman' Archie Daley, nephew of Arthur, is being leaned on by the deeply unpleasant Gold brothers, a pair of property developers, to bribe single mother Petra Bennett whose pub stands in the way of their planned local redevelopment scheme. Councillor Conway, a bent politician, also stands to gain by the scheme. Archie meets Jamie, a young taxi driver down on his luck and tries to rope him in to the plan. Jamie, however, has scruples and persuades Archie to concoct an elaborate scheme, which will expose the villains to D.I. Murray. | ||||||
| 2 | "In Vino Veritas" | Tim Loane | David Innes Edwards | 2.08m | 11 February 2009 | |
|
Archie agrees to provide the wine for the wedding of Roxy, the daughter of old school chum Maurice. Maurice fears that Neil, the groom, might stand Roxy up so Jamie is employed to stalk him and discovers him in conversation with Teddy B, a notorious loan shark. Things do not look good, especially when Neil fails to turn up for his own wedding. Archie and Jamie track him down and find that he is not in debt; Teddy B is his father whom he wanted to keep away from the wedding. On the other hand it is the apparently successful Maurice who owes money to the loan shark. He is bankrupt and suicidal and it is down to Archie to stop him killing himself. | ||||||
| 3 | "The Art of the Matter" | Tim Loane | David Innes Edwards | 1.59m | 18 February 2009 | |
|
Whilst buying furniture from financially stretched pensioners Anita and Brian Richardson, Archie discovers a piece of graffiti on the bedroom wall-paper which he has authenticated as being the work of Banksy, who was once the Richardsons' lodger. He displays it at a tatty art exhibition of his own where a glamorous gallery employee tells him it is worth a fortune and exhibits it for him. Unfortunately the Richardsons come clean to Archie, explaining that it is one of many forgeries perfected by Brian and given to a middle man whom they only know as 'Picasso' who sold them on for them. When things got uncomfortable, thanks to the earnest fraud officer Inspector Willoughby, Picasso disappeared. Willoughby now believes he knows the identity of 'Picasso' – Archie Daley. Jamie must retrieve the false Banksy from the gallery before the deception is discovered. | ||||||
| 4 | "A Matter of Life and Debt" | Tim Loane | David Innes Edwards | 1.81m | 25 February 2009 | |
|
Archie attends the reading of the will of a former business associate, Harry Grant, who owed him several thousand pounds. Almost all of Harry's money is to be left to his beloved cats, annoying his ex-wife Liz, son Hugo and young Irish widow Maria. Archie believes that Harry hid some stolen diamonds before he died but none of the interested parties claim to know of their whereabouts. A visit to sham medium Vlad the Impostor gives Archie a clue that the diamonds were "worn by girls". Harry referred to his cats as his girls, and the one he loved most died recently, and was buried in a graveyard. Maria recalls that Harry may have buried the cat in a diamond-studded collar, so everyone rushes to be the first to get to the cat's last resting place. | ||||||
| 5 | "Thank Your Lucky Stars" | Jeff Povey | Karl Neilson | 1.36m | 4 March 2009 | |
|
Archie is invited to play poker with millionaire Felix Cornell after arranging the security for a charity fashion show given by Felix's trophy wife Eve. Inevitably he loses and must hand over a Porsche he is 'minding' for a thuggish friend, due to arrive in London in a few days. He passes Jamie, a good card player, off as Mr. De Lisle for a return game at the Cornells' mansion. The game begins badly but certain revelations lead to Eve saving the day for Archie and Jamie. | ||||||
| 6 | "Till Debt Do Us Part" | Tim Loane | David Innes Edwards | 1.34m | 11 March 2009 | |
|
Archie needs cash to stop his estranged wife Delilah exposing his dodgy dealings, and hits upon the perfect revenge plan. Jamie, a former boxing champion, will train wannabe Ryan Doyle to beat up-and-coming fighter Carlo Rocks, Delilah's toy-boy, in the boxing ring—and Archie will bet on the victory. Delilah gets Ryan out of the way, and it is down to Jamie to replace him in the ring—though he is horrified to learn that Archie expects him to lose. Ultimately, Archie must ask Delilah for a favour to keep his young minder on board. | ||||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Minder (1979) - Season 3, Episode 1: Dead Men Do Tell Tales - TV.com". tv.com. San Francisco, CA: CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ Rula Lenska Wikipage
- ^ "Weekly top 30 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018) | BARB".
- Brian Hawkins (2002). The Phenomenon that was Minder. ISBN 962-86812-1-4.
External links
[edit]- The Unofficial Fans of Minder No 1 fans site on the web since 1997
- Minder discussion forum
List of Minder episodes
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The list of Minder episodes catalogues all 114 episodes of the British comedy-drama crime series Minder, comprising 108 episodes (including specials) from the original run on ITV from 29 October 1979 to 10 March 1994, and 6 episodes from the 2009 revival on Channel 5.[1][2]
Minder was created by writer Leon Griffiths as a vehicle for actor Dennis Waterman, following his success in The Sweeney, and produced by Euston Films for Thames Television.[3][4] The series originally stars George Cole as Arthur Daley, a charming but unscrupulous small-time entrepreneur forever scheming for a "nice little earner," and Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, his ex-boxer "minder" tasked with protecting him from the consequences of his dodgy dealings in London's seedy underworld; after Series 7, Waterman was replaced by Gary Webster as Ray, Arthur's nephew.[5][4] The 2009 revival featured Shane Richie as Arthur's nephew Archie Daley and Lex Shrapnel as his minder Jamie. Spanning 11 series in total, the episodes blend humour, drama, and occasional action, often featuring guest stars from the British acting scene and exploring themes of petty crime, loyalty, and streetwise survival.[3][1] The original programme became one of ITV's most successful exports, screening in over 70 countries and cementing its status as a cultural touchstone of 1980s British television.[6]
Additionally, the series included a Christmas special, "Minder's Christmas Bonus," aired on 26 December 1983 as a pre-series appendix (sometimes denoted as episode 0). Written by Tony Hoare and directed by Ian Toynton, it features Arthur, Terry, and Dave reflecting on past escapades while decorating the Winchester Club for the holidays, blending clips from prior episodes with new festive content.[63][64] This 50-minute installment served as a light-hearted bridge, enhancing fan engagement during the holiday season without advancing major plotlines.
Overview
Production and format
Minder was created by writer Leon Griffiths, who developed the concept as a vehicle for actor Dennis Waterman, and produced by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television, for broadcast on ITV starting in 1979.[7][4] The show originated from Griffiths' screenplay treatment featuring a shady entrepreneur and his bodyguard, pitched directly to Euston Films, known for gritty London-based dramas like The Sweeney.[8] Episodes typically run for 52 minutes, forming a comedy-drama format centered on Arthur Daley's elaborate get-rich-quick schemes and the reluctant involvement of his minder, Terry McCann, who provides protection while navigating moral dilemmas.[7][9] This structure blends humor from Daley's wheeler-dealing with dramatic tension from underworld threats, often set in everyday London locales like car lots and pubs.[4] The principal cast for series 1 through 10 featured George Cole as the cunning Arthur Daley and Dennis Waterman as the ex-boxer Terry McCann, with Glynn Edwards recurring as barman Dave Harris.[10] In series 11, the roles shifted to Shane Richie as Arthur's nephew Archie Daley and Lex Shrapnel as the new minder Jamie Cartwright, refreshing the dynamic while retaining the core premise.[11][12] Key production personnel included recurring director Peter Sasdy, who helmed three early episodes, and writer Leon Griffiths, who contributed scripts across series 1–10.[10] Later contributions came from writers like Tim Loane for series 11.[11] Episodes are numbered sequentially within each of the 11 series, totaling 114 regular installments, while two specials—such as Christmas episodes and feature-length adventures—are positioned outside this structure as standalone productions.[7][13]Episode distribution
The television series Minder comprises 114 regular episodes distributed across 11 series, spanning its original run from 1979 to 1994 and a revival in 2009.[4] The episode counts per series varied, reflecting production schedules and broadcast constraints; for example, Series 1 aired 11 episodes, Series 2 featured 13, Series 3 had 13, and later series such as Series 10 and Series 11 each contained 10 and 6 episodes, respectively.[2][14] In addition to the regular episodes, Minder included 2 narrative specials and 3 retrospective specials, contributing to its extended legacy beyond standard seasons.[15] These specials were typically longer formats aired during holiday periods or as standalone events, enhancing the series' episodic variety without altering the core series structure.[16] The original production aired continuously from 1979 to 1994 with notable gaps between series, such as a two-year hiatus after Series 2 due to scheduling and creative decisions, culminating in a 15-year break before the 2009 revival on Channel 5.[17] This hiatus stemmed primarily from actor availability—particularly Dennis Waterman's departure after Series 7 in 1989, citing the character's narrative exhaustion—and network shifts, including Thames Television's loss of its ITV franchise in 1992, which disrupted Euston Films' output.[18] Viewership trends underscored the series' popularity arc, peaking in the early 1980s with episodes regularly exceeding 18 million viewers amid strong ITV ratings dominance.[19] By the late 1980s and early 1990s, audiences declined to around 10-12 million per episode due to cast changes and evolving viewer preferences, contributing to the original run's conclusion; the 2009 revival, however, averaged under 3 million viewers, leading to its swift cancellation after one series.[17]| Series | Year(s) | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1979–80 | 11 |
| 2 | 1980 | 13 |
| 3 | 1982 | 13 |
| 4 | 1983–84 | 11 |
| 5 | 1984 | 10 |
| 6 | 1985 | 8 |
| 7 | 1988–89 | 6 |
| 8 | 1991 | 13 |
| 9 | 1993 | 13 |
| 10 | 1994 | 10 |
| 11 | 2009 | 6 |
| Total | 114 |
Special episodes
Minder on the Orient Express (1985)
Minder on the Orient Express is a feature-length special episode of the British television crime comedy-drama series Minder, originally broadcast on ITV on 25 December 1985 as the Christmas highlight. Directed by Francis Megahy and written by Andrew Payne, the 106-minute production stars George Cole as the scheming businessman Arthur Daley and Dennis Waterman as his bodyguard Terry McCann, with supporting appearances by recurring cast members including Glynn Edwards as barman Dave Harris. Produced by Euston Films for Thames Television, it served as the season finale for series 6 and marked a departure from the standard 50-minute format by adopting a more cinematic, adventure-oriented structure set aboard the luxury Orient Express train traveling from London to Venice. The episode blends the series' signature mix of humor, petty crime, and character-driven banter with elements of thriller intrigue, drawing loose inspiration from Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express.[20] The plot centers on Terry McCann, who rescues Nikki South—the newly adult daughter of deceased gangster Jack South—from an attack by thugs at her birthday party in London. Grateful, Nikki presents Terry with two first-class tickets for the Orient Express as a thank-you gift, intending to use the journey to follow cryptic clues left by her father to a hidden fortune in a Swiss bank. Arthur Daley, evading a court subpoena related to a protection racket investigation, manipulates his way onto the trip by posing it as a lucrative business venture, bringing along his associate Dave for cover. Aboard the train, the group encounters a colorful array of passengers connected to Jack South's criminal empire, including his scheming widow, shady business partners, and a bumbling insurance investigator. Tensions escalate as rival factions pursue the fortune's clues—revealed through riddles involving Jack's past scams—leading to comedic mishaps, chases through European stations, and betrayals. Unbeknownst to the main trio, Detective Sergeant "Kenny" Chisholm (a recurring Minder antagonist working undercover for Interpol) is also on board, adding layers of suspicion and near-misses. The story culminates in Venice, where Arthur's opportunism and Terry's loyalty resolve the intrigue in a satisfying, if chaotic, conclusion true to the series' tone.[21] The cast features George Cole and Dennis Waterman in the lead roles, alongside Amanda Pays as the resourceful Nikki South, Patrick Malahide as the duplicitous Chisholm, and Honor Blackman as the aristocratic Lady Angela. Robert Beatty appears in flashbacks as the late Jack South, while returning guest stars from prior episodes include Michael Elphick as the villainous Harry Rycott, Michael Robbins as the hapless Sid the Yid, and Peter Childs as Detective Sergeant Ronald "Kenny" Chisholm's associate. Other notable guests are Suzanna Hamilton, Barry Howard, and Leon Sinden, contributing to the episode's ensemble feel with their portrayals of train passengers entangled in the plot.[22] Production took place primarily on location across Europe to capture the glamour of the Orient Express, with filming on the actual train service between London, Paris, Verona, and Venice, as well as additional scenes in Austrian and Italian studios and exteriors for authenticity. This international scope represented a significant escalation from the series' usual London-based shoots, involving coordination with European rail authorities and a larger crew to handle the logistical challenges of moving sets and actors. The higher budget—estimated at several times that of a standard episode due to travel, accommodations, and the star-studded guest lineup—reflected Thames Television's investment in elevating Minder for the holiday slot, with post-production emphasizing the train's opulent interiors to enhance the escapist appeal. The script by Andrew Payne, his first for the series, incorporated nods to classic train thrillers while staying rooted in Arthur and Terry's dynamic.[21] Upon airing, the special garnered 12.5 million viewers in the UK, securing a strong position in the Christmas Day ratings despite competition from the BBC's Only Fools and Horses special, which drew 16.9 million. Critics and audiences praised its breezy pacing, exotic setting, and the chemistry between Cole and Waterman, though some noted the plot's reliance on contrivances for humor. The episode's success underscored Minder's enduring popularity, achieving high appreciation scores and contributing to the series' commercial viability.[23] Aired as the finale of series 6 following an approximately 11-month hiatus after series 5 in 1984, Minder on the Orient Express reintroduced core characters and themes in an expansive format, providing a festive capstone to the season and sustaining fan engagement during the return to regular episodes.An Officer and a Car Salesman (1988)
"An Officer and a Car Salesman" is a 90-minute Christmas special episode of the British television series Minder, originally broadcast on ITV on 26 December 1988.[24] Directed by Roy Ward Baker and written by Tony Hoare, with series creator Leon Griffiths credited as deviser, the episode serves as a bridge between series 6 and 7, addressing the three-year production hiatus.[25] It features the return of lead characters Arthur Daley and Terry McCann, focusing on themes of loyalty, scams, and redemption typical of the series.[26] The plot begins with Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman) being released from prison after serving time for a crime stemming from one of Arthur Daley's (George Cole) shady dealings, specifically storing dodgy videos in Terry's flat that led to his arrest.[27] Seeking a fresh start, Terry takes a job at a survival school for executives run by ex-army officer Colonel Caplan (Kenneth Cope), where training involves military-style drills. However, Arthur soon re-enters Terry's life, pulling him into a new scheme involving the purchase of equipment from Arthur, ostensibly for the school but actually tied to a plan to rob a security van, leading to escalating chaos and confrontations with police detective DS Chisholm (Patrick Malahide). The narrative culminates in a car sales con that exposes Arthur's manipulations, forcing Terry to navigate loyalty to his old boss amid the fallout.[26][27] The episode stars George Cole as the wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley and Dennis Waterman as his bodyguard and minder, Terry McCann, reprising their central roles from the main series. Supporting cast includes Glynn Edwards as barman Dave Harris, a series regular, and Diana Malin as Debbie, one of Terry's customers at the survival school who becomes entangled in the plot. Notable guest appearances feature Patrick Malahide as the antagonistic DS Chisholm, Kenneth Cope as Colonel Caplan, and others such as Michael Angelis and Bill Maynard in key supporting roles that add depth to the scam and police pursuit elements.[25][28] Produced by Euston Films for Thames Television during the extended break following series 6 in 1985, the special was filmed as a standalone feature-length story to rekindle interest in the series ahead of its return. It incorporates the show's signature blend of humour, action, and social commentary on London's underworld, with location shooting emphasizing urban and rural settings for the survival school sequences. The episode received positive reception for reuniting the core duo and providing narrative continuity, though specific BARB viewing figures are not publicly detailed in available records.[24][19] Within the Minder canon, "An Officer and a Car Salesman" directly accounts for Terry's unexplained absence during the gap between series 6 and 7 by depicting his imprisonment and release, setting up his continued partnership with Arthur in the subsequent season while writing out DS Chisholm's role in the ongoing police antagonism.Retrospective specials (2009)
In 2004, three retrospective featurettes titled Memories of Minder: The Early Years, Memories of Minder: The Middle Years, and Memories of Minder: The Final Years were released as extras on DVD compilations of the original series. These non-narrative programs focused exclusively on clips from the original series, divided by era, and were designed as tributes to the show's legacy from its 1979 debut through 1994. Each special compiled key highlights from its respective period—series 1 to 3 for the early years (1979–1982), series 4 to 7 for the middle years (1983–1989), and series 8 to 10 for the final years (1991–1994)—featuring iconic scenes of Arthur Daley's schemes and Terry McCann's minding duties, without delving into full episode plots. Interviews with principal cast and crew provided context, including George Cole's personal reflections on Arthur Daley's character development and the evolving dynamics with co-stars like Dennis Waterman and Gary Webster. Behind-the-scenes footage illustrated production challenges, such as location shooting in London and the influence of creator Leon Griffiths' scripts.[29] Produced by independent teams in collaboration with original distributor Euston Films, the specials were directed by multiple contributors to capture varied perspectives, emphasizing the series' cultural impact on British television comedy-drama. Released to accompany DVD box sets, they generated interest among fans by revisiting the original's charm. Unlike the scripted revival on Channel 5 in 2009, these were purely archival compilations, avoiding new storylines.Series episodes
Series 1 (1979–80)
The first series of Minder aired on ITV from 29 October 1979 to 21 January 1980, comprising 11 episodes that established the show's signature blend of comedy, drama, and crime in the London underworld. Created by Leon Griffiths, it introduced central characters Arthur Daley (George Cole), a wheeler-dealer with a penchant for shady schemes, and Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), his reluctant ex-boxer bodyguard tasked with protecting him from the consequences of his cons. Recurring elements like the Winchester Club barman Dave (Glynn Edwards) also debuted, setting the format for Arthur's get-rich-quick plots often derailed by Terry's moral compass and external threats. Despite initial modest viewership, the series laid the foundation for Minder's enduring appeal, with episodes typically written by Griffiths and directed by a rotation of television veterans.[14][3] The episodes are listed below, including key credits and brief synopses.| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunfight at the O.K. Laundrette | Peter Sasdy | Leon Griffiths | 29 October 1979 | Terry accompanies laundrette owner Alfie Cavallo to collect takings, but a bungled armed robbery traps them as hostages in a tense siege, drawing in Arthur's opportunistic involvement.[30] |
| 2 | Bury My Half at Waltham Green | Francis Megahy | Leon Griffiths | 5 November 1979 | Arthur hires Terry to mind recently paroled bank robber Albert Stubbs, but rival criminals and old associates keep close watch, leading to a risky escape plan when Albert's past catches up.[31] |
| 3 | The Smaller They Are... | Roy Ward Baker | Leon Griffiths | 12 November 1979 | Eccentric thief Scotch Harry lifts a suitcase of counterfeit cash; Arthur attempts to fence it back to its owners for profit, sparking a chaotic pursuit by forgers and police while Terry provides cover.[32] |
| 4 | A Tethered Goat | Ray Austin | Leon Griffiths | 19 November 1979 | Arthur rents out Terry as a bodyguard for wealthy Lebanese businessman Bassam Sayin during a short London stay, but Terry uncovers layers of deception in Sayin's dealings, forcing Arthur to navigate dangerous alliances.[33] |
| 5 | The Bounty Hunter | Peter Sasdy | Robin Sales | 26 November 1979 | Arthur aids a widow scammed out of her late husband's savings by con artists; Terry tracks the culprits for a bounty, exposing a larger fraud ring in the process. |
| 6 | Aces High... and Sometimes Very Low | Francis Megahy | Leon Griffiths | 3 December 1979 | Professional gambler Maurice Sellars, robbed of his poker winnings, pawns his car to Arthur; Terry shadows him during a high-stakes rematch at a private club to recover the losses.[34] |
| 7 | The Bengal Tiger | Roy Ward Baker | Leon Griffiths | 10 December 1979 | Terry protects newsagent Mr. Mukerjee from thugs pressuring him over his daughter's arranged marriage, while Arthur exploits the situation for a side deal on smuggled goods.[34] |
| 8 | Come in T-46, Your Time Is Ticking Away | Ray Austin | Leon Griffiths | 17 December 1979 | Arthur launches a mini-cab service; Terry goes undercover as a driver to investigate sabotage attacks aimed at forcing a buyout from rival operator Kevin.[34] |
| 9 | Monday Night Fever | Peter Sasdy | Leon Griffiths | 7 January 1980 | Arthur manages aspiring singer Sharon Dobbs for a club gig, but when the owner reneges on payment, Terry intervenes to thwart a murder plot involving promoter Vic Piner.[34] |
| 10 | The Dessert Song | Francis Megahy | Bernie Cooper | 14 January 1980 | At a Greek restaurant, Terry goes undercover to safeguard waitress Christina from her abusive brother-in-law, uncovering family secrets and extortion tied to Arthur's investment.[34] |
| 11 | You Gotta Have Friends | Roy Ward Baker | Leon Griffiths | 21 January 1980 | Courier Billy Gilpin flees gangsters after losing bearer bonds belonging to Bobby Altman; Arthur brokers a recovery deal, with Terry ensuring Billy's safety amid double-crosses.[35] |
Series 2 (1980)
The second series of Minder aired on ITV from 11 September to 4 December 1980, comprising 13 episodes that further explored the exploits of wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley and his bodyguard Terry McCann in London's underworld.[14] Building directly on the core cast established in the first series, including George Cole as Arthur and Dennis Waterman as Terry, this run deepened their partnership through increasingly elaborate cons and close calls, showcasing Terry's growing exasperation with Arthur's schemes while highlighting their underlying loyalty.[3] The series maintained the show's signature blend of humour, action, and social commentary, with episodes often centering on Arthur's "nice little earners" that inevitably draw Terry into peril. Viewership for Series 2 remained strong, sustaining the high ratings that had propelled Minder to popularity after its debut, with audiences in the millions per episode and contributing to ITV's dominant position in early evening programming during the period.[36] The episodes featured a mix of writers, primarily led by creator Leon Griffiths alongside contributions from others such as Paul Wheeler and Stanley Price, and were directed by talents including Dennis Abey, Ian Sharp, and Tom Clegg.[10] Below is a table listing the episodes, including titles, original air dates, and brief synopses.| No. | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Pelmet | 11 September 1980 | Arthur persuades Terry to mind a racehorse named Pelmet during a seaside outing near Brighton, but the job turns complicated when Terry becomes involved with the horse's attractive owner, Jocelyn, while Arthur pursues his own side deal.[27] |
| 2 | Whose Wife Is It Anyway? | 18 September 1980 | Terry is tasked with guarding an antique shop owned by Arthur's friend Alex after thugs demand protection money, leading to a mix-up involving a suspicious wife and hidden valuables.[37] |
| 3 | You Lose Some, You Win Some | 25 September 1980 | A gambler recruits Arthur for a roulette scheme requiring a hideout, but the plan disrupts Terry's personal life when his flat is commandeered, forcing him to juggle loyalties.[38] |
| 4 | Don't Tell Them Willie Boy Was Here | 2 October 1980 | Arthur and Terry shelter an old associate, Willie, on the run from gangsters, but Willie's loose tongue and past deeds threaten to expose them all in a tense hideout scenario.[39] |
| 5 | Not a Bad Lad, Dad | 9 October 1980 | Arthur involves Terry in a favour for a family friend, minding a wayward son who turns out to be entangled in petty crime, testing Terry's patience with Arthur's family-oriented cons.[14] |
| 6 | The Beer Hunter | 16 October 1980 | Arthur spots an opportunity in the pub trade by "minding" a brewery delivery, but rival interests and a brawl at the Winchester Club pull Terry into a chaotic defence of their stake. |
| 7 | A Nice Little Wine | 23 October 1980 | Arthur invests in a dodgy wine deal, enlisting Terry to transport the goods, only for counterfeit bottles and suspicious buyers to unravel the scam amid chases and deceptions. |
| 8 | All Mod Cons | 30 October 1980 | Terry helps Arthur flip a rundown property with modern upgrades, but shady contractors and unexpected tenants lead to comedic mishaps and a frantic cover-up. |
| 9 | Diamonds Are a Girl's Worst Enemy | 6 November 1980 | Arthur's diamond smuggling side hustle goes awry when a female courier double-crosses them, forcing Terry to track her down through London's glittering but dangerous jewellery scene.[14] |
| 10 | The Old School Tie | 13 November 1980 | Arthur leverages an old school connection for a business favour, but class tensions and a forged tie pull Terry into a posh scam that exposes Arthur's opportunistic roots.[14] |
| 11 | All About Scoring, Innit? | 20 November 1980 | Arthur promotes a football-related betting ring, with Terry minding the players, but match-fixing suspicions and rowdy fans turn the pitch into a battlefield.[40] |
| 12 | Caught in the Act, Fact | 27 November 1980 | Terry delivers a car for a friend, unaware it's linked to a robbery; his fingerprints land him in hot water, requiring Arthur's cunning to extract him from police scrutiny.[41] |
| 13 | A Lot of Bull and a Pat on the Back | 4 December 1980 | Arthur and Terry transport livestock for farmers, but a rampaging bull and hidden agendas from the buyers lead to rural chaos and a narrow escape.[37] |
Series 3 (1982)
Series 3 of Minder marked the programme's return to ITV screens after a hiatus of more than a year following the conclusion of Series 2 in December 1980. Broadcast weekly from 13 January to 7 April 1982, the 13-episode run featured George Cole reprising his role as the scheming Arthur Daley and Dennis Waterman as his loyal minder, Terry McCann, alongside recurring characters such as Glynn Edwards as barman Dave Harris. The series explored Arthur's latest dodgy ventures amid the gritty London underworld, blending humour, action, and social commentary, while introducing fresh cons and guest appearances that highlighted the show's ensemble appeal. Production resumed under Euston Films, with filming taking place primarily in mid-1981, and the episodes maintained the 50-60 minute runtime typical of the format. Viewing figures for the series averaged around 15-17 million per episode, underscoring its status as a major hit for ITV during this period.[14][42][43] Notable guest stars unique to this series included rock musician Suzi Quatro as a singer entangled in a smuggling plot, comedian Mike Reid as a rival heavy, and actors such as Derek Fowlds and Michael Elphick in key supporting roles that added depth to Arthur's schemes. The writing team, led by creator Leon Griffiths alongside contributors like Tony Hoare and Andrew Payne, focused on self-contained stories involving fraud, revenge, and unlikely alliances, with directors including Robert Young, Ian Sharp, and Ian Toynton bringing dynamic pacing to the action sequences. This series post-hiatus refresh emphasized Terry's growing frustration with Arthur's antics while reinforcing the duo's unbreakable partnership.[44][45][46] The episodes are listed below with key production credits and brief synopses.| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1 | Dead Men Do Tell Tales | Robert Young | Tony Hoare | 13 January 1982 | Arthur agrees to store a coffin for old associate Monty Wiseman, unaware it contains smuggled diamonds; Terry gets drawn in when the body "disappears," leading to a chase involving a disgraced doctor and police detective Chisholm. Guest stars include Suzi Quatro and Harry Fowler.[44][47] |
| 26 | 2 | You Need Hands | Ian Sharp | Andrew Payne | 20 January 1982 | Terry breaks his hand in a debt collection gone wrong and is sidelined; Arthur hires a temporary minder, Vernon, for a suspicious "diamond" deal that turns out to involve heroin, forcing Terry to intervene despite his injury. Features Mike Reid as Vernon.[45][48] |
| 27 | 3 | Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore | Ian Toynton | Leon Griffiths | 27 January 1982 | Arthur invests in a supposed Rembrandt painting that's a forgery; Terry must protect the shady art dealer from angry buyers while uncovering the scam's origins in the criminal art world. Guest star: George Sewell.[14] |
| 28 | 4 | Looking for Micky | Mike Vardy | Tony Hoare | 3 February 1982 | An old friend of Terry's, Micky, is released from prison and seeks revenge on those who framed him; Arthur tries to exploit the situation for profit, but Chisholm's investigation complicates matters. Includes appearances by Patrick Malahide as Chisholm. |
| 29 | 5 | Dreamhouse | Francis Megahy | Andrew Payne | 10 February 1982 | Arthur convinces faded pop star Frankie to buy a rundown mansion as an investment, but the property hides dark secrets; Terry housesits and uncovers blackmail ties to Frankie's past. Guest: Michael Elphick.[49][50] |
| 30 | 6 | Another Bride, Another Groom | Ian Toynton | Leon Griffiths | 17 February 1982 | Arthur organizes a dodgy wedding for a pair of con artists to claim insurance, but the ceremony descends into chaos when real debts catch up; Terry acts as reluctant best man. Features comedic wedding antics.[14] |
| 31 | 7 | The Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs | Ian Sharp | Tony Hoare | 24 February 1982 | A prison escapee hides birds worth a fortune in Arthur's lock-up; Terry must mind the volatile convict while Arthur negotiates a sale, evading recapture efforts. Guest: Alfred Lynch.[43] |
| 32 | 8 | The Son Also Rises | Francis Megahy | Paul Wheeler | 3 March 1982 | Terry is hired to protect a wealthy woman's rebellious son from kidnappers, but Arthur sees an opportunity to stage a fake ransom; family tensions and Chisholm interfere. Stars Alfie Bass.[51][52] |
| 33 | 9 | Why Pay Tax? | Ian Toynton | Leon Griffiths | 10 March 1982 | Arthur helps a small businessman evade taxes through a phony export scheme, but HMRC auditors close in; Terry transports suspicious cargo amid mounting pressure. Guest: Kenneth Cope.[14] |
| 34 | 10 | Broken Arrow | Robert Young | Tony Hoare | 17 March 1982 | Arthur's car import business hits trouble when a damaged vehicle reveals smuggled goods; Terry drives a replacement that attracts unwanted attention from customs. Features car chase sequences.[53] |
| 35 | 11 | Poetic Justice, Innit? | Francis Megahy | Andrew Payne | 24 March 1982 | A poet-turned-conman owes Arthur money from a failed literary scam; Terry escorts him to a reading event that turns violent when rivals appear. Includes literary satire. Guest: Timothy West.[54][50] |
| 36 | 12 | A Well Fashioned Fit-Up | Ian Toynton | Leon Griffiths | 31 March 1982 | Arthur invests in a fashion warehouse that's a front for counterfeit goods; Terry guards a model involved in the ring as police raids loom. Guest stars include model Jan Hamilton.[14] |
| 37 | 13 | In | Ian Toynton | Leon Griffiths | 7 April 1982 | Arthur faces jail time after a car seizure exposes his latest dodge; Terry scrambles to prove his innocence involving a stolen BMW and bent coppers, concluding the series on a tense note. Features Diana Malin.[55][56] |
Series 4 (1983–84)
The fourth series of the British crime comedy-drama Minder marked a period of continued success for the show, building on the momentum from previous seasons with more intricate schemes involving Arthur Daley's entrepreneurial misadventures and Terry McCann's role as his reluctant protector. Airing on ITV, this series featured eight episodes broadcast weekly from 11 January to 29 February 1984, reflecting the program's stabilization after a production hiatus and its shift toward action-oriented narratives infused with signature humor.[14] The episodes maintained format consistency, centering on the duo's interactions in London's underworld while introducing guest characters that heightened the comedic and tense elements.[57] During this run, Minder enjoyed peak popularity, consistently drawing high viewership ratings in the mid-teens of millions per episode, underscoring its status as one of ITV's top-rated programs at the time.[58] Writers such as Leon Griffiths and Tony Hoare contributed scripts that emphasized character-driven plots, often directed by Ian Toynton, whose work helped blend suspense with light-hearted banter.[10] The series' evolving humor became more polished, incorporating satirical takes on 1980s British society, from small-time cons to celebrity cameos. The episodes are detailed in the following table, including titles, air dates, key creative credits, and brief synopses:| No. | Title | Air Date | Writer(s) | Director | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky Eight and a Half | 11 Jan 1984 | Leon Griffiths | Ian Toynton | Arthur attends an illegal boxing match and convinces a reluctant Terry to return to the ring for an eighth bout against his old rival Jackie Wilson, leading to a scheme involving a shady promoter; meanwhile, a con artist sells Arthur's council flat out from under him.[59] |
| 2 | Senior Citizen Caine | 18 Jan 1984 | Tony Hoare | Ian Toynton | Arthur exploits an elderly widow's vulnerability in a property scam, but Terry uncovers the old woman's surprising connection to a former boxer, forcing Arthur to navigate ethical dilemmas amid threats from local thugs.[57] |
| 3 | High Drains Pilferer | 25 Jan 1984 | Tony Hoare | Ian Toynton | Arthur's attempt to profit from stolen goods hidden in sewer drains backfires when Terry must retrieve them, entangled with a gang of pilferers and a paranoid informant.[57] |
| 4 | Sorry Pal, Wrong Number | 1 Feb 1984 | Tony Hoare | Ian Toynton | Partnering with con artist J.J. Mooney, Arthur runs a fake horse-racing tip line scam using a bogus office, but the operation unravels when real punters and authorities close in, requiring Terry's intervention.[60] |
| 5 | The Car Lot Baggers | 8 Feb 1984 | Peter Hammond | Ian Toynton | Arthur's used car dealership faces sabotage from rival "baggers" stealing vehicles, prompting Terry to go undercover as a mechanic to expose the culprits in a high-stakes chase.[57] |
| 6 | If Money Be the Food of Love, Play On | 15 Feb 1984 | Tony Hoare | Ian Toynton | An Australian singer, Dee Rogers, captivates the Winchester Club, leading Arthur to scheme a music promotion deal that spirals into jealousy, blackmail, and a frantic effort to secure her performance rights.[61] |
| 7 | A Star Is Gorn | 22 Feb 1984 | Leon Griffiths | Ian Toynton | Arthur discovers a faded TV star and plots a comeback special, but the actor's erratic behavior and hidden debts turn the project into a chaotic farce with Terry managing security.[57] |
| 8 | Willesden Suite | 29 Feb 1984 | Tony Hoare | Ian Toynton | At a rundown hotel, Arthur peddles counterfeit jam while a manager runs a guest scam; Terry protects a vulnerable visitor amid escalating confrontations with shady operators.[62] |
Series 5 (1984)
Series 5 of Minder aired on ITV from 5 September to 24 October 1984, comprising eight episodes that continued the series' blend of comedy, drama, and crime in the London underworld.[65] This season sustained the high viewership that had built since earlier series, with episodes typically attracting 14–16 million viewers; for instance, "Second Hand Pose" achieved the highest rating in the show's history at 16.4 million. The plots emphasized Arthur Daley's entrepreneurial schemes often involving cons and quick deals, while introducing more personal stakes for Terry McCann, including explorations of his past relationships and frustrations with his role, which added layers to his character development.[66] The season's episodes are detailed below:| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodbye Sailor | Francis Megahy | Andrew Payne | 5 September 1984 | Arthur strikes a deal to buy cheap tobacco from a French sailor, dispatching Terry and Arnie to collect it; they encounter a group of respectable sailing club members as the importers, but a customs interception forces the cargo overboard, allowing Arthur to later recover it from the beach.[67] |
| 2 | What Makes Shamy Run? | Terry Green | Leon Griffiths | 12 September 1984 | A young Anglo-Indian conman named Shamy settles a debt with Arthur using counterfeit £20 notes; Arthur realizes the forgery at the Winchester Club just as Shamy flees to the airport for India, prompting a frantic pursuit.[68] |
| 3 | A Number of Old Wives' Tales | Francis Megahy | Tony Hoare | 19 September 1984 | Arthur and Terry uncover that businessman Clive Cosgrove, hesitant about a new marriage, is already wed to several of his business manageresses in a web of bigamous relationships. |
| 4 | The Second Time Around | Francis Megahy | Geoffrey Case | 26 September 1984 | Retired romance novelist Ruby Hubbard enlists Arthur's aid after her ex-husband sells her house without permission; Terry assists Ruby and her secretary in plotting a new book amid the ensuing chaos.[69] |
| 5 | Second Hand Pose | Roy Ward Baker | Tony Hoare | 3 October 1984 | Locked in a meat freezer during one of Arthur's deals, Terry quits in frustration and takes a job helping an old friend, Charlie, but Arthur's meddling soon pulls him back into the fold, highlighting tensions in their partnership.[66] |
| 6 | The Long Ride Back to Scratchwood | Terry Green | Alan Hunter | 10 October 1984 | Arthur acquires 2,000 fake tickets for the England-Scotland football match from ex-player Benno, sparking a chaotic chase by furious Scottish fans as Terry and associate Justin attempt to offload them. |
| 7 | Hypnotising Rita | Terry Green | Alan Janes | 17 October 1984 | Arthur and Terry aid hypnotherapist Dr. Sudbury in eloping with heiress Rita, whose family accuses him of mesmerising her to claim her £25,000 inheritance; meanwhile, Terry finds unexpected success in a steam-cleaning side gig.[70] |
| 8 | The Balance of Power | Ian Toynton | David Yallop | 24 October 1984 | Facing a compulsory purchase on his car lot, Arthur runs as an independent candidate in a local by-election, enduring dirty tricks from rivals that land him in custody; Terry's journalist girlfriend Julie works to secure his release for a crucial vote.[71] |
Series 6 (1985)
The sixth series of Minder aired on ITV from 4 September to 20 November 1985, comprising 11 episodes that continued the adventures of wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley and his bodyguard Terry McCann in London's underworld.[14] This series built on the momentum from the previous season, incorporating broader locations such as airports and international elements in some plots, while the production schedule overlapped with filming for the Minder on the Orient Express special, which aired later in December and served as a narrative bridge.[3] The episodes featured returning writers like Leon Griffiths and Tony Hoare, with directors including Terry Green and Francis Megahy, emphasizing Arthur's latest schemes often leading to comedic mishaps and chases.[11] Viewership for the series averaged around 18 million viewers per episode, reflecting its peak popularity in 1985 as one of ITV's top-rated programmes.[72] Key themes included Arthur's dubious business ventures, such as landscaping with ex-convicts or dealing in car phones, frequently complicated by Terry's moral compass and interference from Detective Inspector Rycott. Guest stars like Patrick Malahide and Phil McCall added to the ensemble, with narratives blending humour, tension, and social commentary on petty crime. The episodes are detailed in the following table:| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread | Roy Ward Baker | Tony Hoare | 4 September 1985 | Arthur launches a landscaping business using cheap labour from ex-prisoners, but the scheme unravels when one worker is identified by a vengeful associate, forcing Terry to intervene amid a potential heist at an airport. |
| 2 | Life in the Fast Food Lane | Terry Green | Alistair Beaton, Leon Griffiths | 11 September 1985 | Arthur dives into the car phone market with dodgy suppliers, while Terry's romance with a wealthy burger chain heiress draws the ire of her paranoid father, leading to a frantic pursuit.[73][14] |
| 3 | The Return of the Invincible Man | Francis Megahy | Tony Hoare | 18 September 1985 | Arthur promotes a comeback boxing match for an aging fighter known as the Invincible Man, but rival promoters and fixed odds threaten to derail the event, with Terry handling security. |
| 4 | Arthur Is Dead, Long Live Arthur | Roy Ward Baker | Leon Griffiths | 25 September 1985 | Faking his death to evade debts, Arthur's plan backfires when creditors and the police descend on his "funeral," requiring Terry to stage a resurrection amid chaotic revelations.[74][75] |
| 5 | From Fulham with Love | Francis Megahy | Tony Hoare, Leon Griffiths | 2 October 1985 | Arthur sells goods to a Russian sailor, ending up with uncashable roubles and pursued by a bosun over a defector, while Terry navigates the espionage-tinged fallout in Fulham.[76] |
| 6 | Waiting for Goddard | Roy Ward Baker | Alistair Beaton | 9 October 1985 | Arthur awaits a big payout from old associate Goddard, but delays and double-crosses force Terry into a waiting game that escalates into a warehouse standoff.[77] |
| 7 | The Long Ride | Terry Green | Tony Hoare | 16 October 1985 | Arthur organizes a long-haul transport deal that goes awry on the road, involving stolen goods and a high-speed chase, with Terry driving the getaway.[14] |
| 8 | The Pyramid Game | Francis Megahy | Leon Griffiths | 23 October 1985 | Enticed by a pyramid scheme promising quick riches, Arthur recruits locals, but the scam's collapse leads to angry investors and Terry's cleanup efforts.[78] |
| 9 | The Loneliness of the Long Distance Private Investigator | Roy Ward Baker | Tony Hoare | 30 October 1985 | Arthur poses as a private eye for a surveillance job, uncovering more than bargained for in a lonely stakeout that tests Terry's patience.[14] |
| 10 | The Last Temptation of Daley | Terry Green | Alistair Beaton | 6 November 1985 | Facing temptation from a major deal, Arthur weighs loyalty versus profit, resulting in a tense negotiation gone wrong and Terry's rescue mission. |
| 11 | A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in Shepherd's Bush | Francis Megahy | Leon Griffiths | 20 November 1985 | Arthur's bird-smuggling side hustle in Shepherd's Bush attracts customs officials, leading to a comedic evasion with Terry smuggling the cargo.[14][78] |
Series 7 (1988–89)
The seventh series of Minder aired on ITV from 2 January to 6 February 1989, consisting of six episodes that resumed the show's run after a three-year hiatus since series 6 concluded in 1985. The preceding 1988 Christmas special, An Officer and a Car Salesman, briefly referenced the gap by depicting Terry McCann's imprisonment stemming from his entanglement in one of Arthur Daley's illicit ventures, setting the stage for Terry's return as Arthur's minder amid ongoing police scrutiny from DS Rycott and DC Melish. This series emphasized Arthur's entrepreneurial misadventures in the used-car trade and related rackets, such as dealing in questionable goods and navigating licensing hurdles, while maintaining the classic interplay between Arthur's cunning schemes and Terry's reluctant loyalty. The episodes received solid audience reception, with IMDb user ratings ranging from 7.3 to 8.6 out of 10, reflecting a slight dip in enthusiasm compared to earlier series but sustained appeal for the established formula.[79] The series highlighted Arthur's focus on survival in a tougher economic climate, often pulling Terry into risky situations involving theft, blackmail, and regulatory threats, without introducing major cast changes. Production returned under Euston Films for Thames Television, preserving the gritty London underworld aesthetic. Despite the break, the show's core elements—Arthur's "nice little earners" and Terry's streetwise interventions—ensured continuity, though some critics noted a more subdued tone amid the characters' post-hiatus readjustment.[80]| No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | It's a Sorry Lorry Morrie | Roy Ward Baker | Tony Hoare | 2 January 1989 | Arthur rents a car lot amid business woes and buys a lorry-load of electrical goods from shady dealer Morrie, unaware they are stolen; Terry drives the vehicle, leaving fingerprints that draw a police stakeout from Rycott and Melish, forcing a frantic cover-up involving arsonist Sid.[81][82] |
| 2 | Days of Fines and Closures | William Brayne | David Yallop | 9 January 1989 | With barman Dave absent, Terry manages the Winchester Club during its license renewal, clashing with Rycott's opposition and handling fines from a chaotic night; Arthur schemes to secure the renewal through backroom deals while dodging his own mounting debts.[83][14] |
| 3 | Fatal Impression | Terry Green | Anita Bronson | 16 January 1989 | A deceased gambler leaves Arthur £2,000 in debt, prompting a plan to exploit the man's body imprint as a religious icon for profit; Terry aids his ex-girlfriend Sylvie and her son in escaping an abusive husband, uncovering ties to Arthur's scam.[84][80] |
| 4 | The Last Video Show | Roy Ward Baker | Andrew Payne | 23 January 1989 | Arthur and Terry acquire a video shop with a tape blackmailing a corrupt detective inspector, leading to a confrontation with crime boss Jack Last; the evidence is accidentally erased, derailing the scheme amid police pursuit.[85] |
| 5 | Fiddler on the Hoof | Terry Green | Dave Humphries | 30 January 1989 | After a City robbery heightens security fears, Arthur relocates valuables to a lock-up, only for bagman Billy Lynch to burgle it for a horse-racing payoff; Terry intervenes in the ensuing violence to recover the loot.[80] |
| 6 | The Wrong Goodbye | Francis Megahy | David Yallop | 6 February 1989 | Facing bankruptcy, Arthur agrees to sell his business to enigmatic buyer Norton, who proposes a farewell party; Terry suspects foul play and exposes the deal as a front for money laundering with DS Jones's help.[86][14] |
Series 8 (1991)
Series 8 of Minder aired on ITV from 5 September to 25 December 1991, comprising 13 episodes that reintroduced a regular partner for Arthur Daley in the form of his nephew Ray Daley, played by Gary Webster. Following the mixed reception and lower viewing figures of series 7, which lacked a consistent minder character after Terry McCann's departure, the production team aimed to restore the show's signature double-act format with Ray as Arthur's reluctant assistant and protector. This series benefited from renewed scripts focusing on Arthur's entrepreneurial schemes in a changing London underworld, contributing to a partial recovery in audience engagement, with episodes averaging around 12-14 million viewers in the UK. The arc emphasizes re-establishing trust and banter between Arthur and Ray amid various cons, heists, and family entanglements, while maintaining the blend of comedy and drama that defined earlier seasons. The episodes were primarily written by a team including Tony Jordan, Peter Hammond, and series creator Leon Griffiths, with direction handled by talents such as Diarmuid Lawrence and Keith Washington. Below is a detailed list of the episodes, including titles, production credits, air dates, and synopses.| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 1 | The Loneliness of the Long Distance Entrepreneur | Diarmuid Lawrence | Tony Jordan | 5 September 1991 | Arthur sells a flashy car to a detective sergeant, unwittingly involving Ray in a drug smuggling ring when the vehicle is used for a continental import scam; Ray must navigate the fallout to protect the business. |
| 72 | 2 | A Bouquet of Barbed Wine | Diarmuid Lawrence | Peter Hammond | 12 September 1991 | Arthur invests in a consignment of cheap French wine, but discovers it's counterfeit; he ropes Ray into selling it at a society event, leading to clashes with shady importers and a vengeful buyer. |
| 73 | 3 | Whatever Happened to Her Indoors? | Diarmuid Lawrence | Tony Jordan | 19 September 1991 | Arthur's wife goes missing, making him a police suspect amid his cash flow woes; Ray helps investigate while Arthur pushes British car sales to fund a ransom, uncovering a link to an old rival. |
| 74 | 4 | Three Cons Make a Mountain | Diarmuid Lawrence | Leon Griffiths | 26 September 1991 | Three of Arthur's past victims team up for revenge, tricking him into buying a faulty East German car, a washed-up greyhound, and a broken piano; Ray aids in offloading them before the cons unravel.[87] |
| 75 | 5 | Guess Who's Coming to Pinner | Ian Toynton | Peter Hammond | 3 October 1991 | Arthur's estranged son shows up needing money for a business venture, forcing Ray to vet the scheme involving dodgy property deals in suburban Pinner. |
| 76 | 6 | The Last Temptation of Daley | Keith Washington | Tony Jordan | 10 October 1991 | Arthur caters a police retirement party with a runaway chef on the lam from gangsters, turning Ray's delivery run into a high-stakes evasion plot. |
| 77 | 7 | A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in Shepherd's Bush | Derek Banham | Leon Griffiths | 17 October 1991 | Arthur backs a fixed pigeon race, but Ray uncovers sabotage by competitors, leading to a chaotic showdown in Shepherd's Bush. |
| 78 | 8 | Him Indoors | Roger Bamford | Iain Roy & Chris Kelly | 24 October 1991 | Trapped in the lock-up by a faulty alarm installed by reformed burglar Ron, Arthur misses his wife's birthday and gets arrested; Ray scrambles to bail him out amid a heist gone wrong.[88] |
| 79 | 9 | The Greatest Show in Willesden | Alister Hallum | Peter Hammond | 31 October 1991 | Arthur promotes a circus in Willesden, but animal rights activists and a crooked promoter threaten the event; Ray handles security while Arthur chases profits. |
| 80 | 10 | Too Many Crooks | Alister Hallum | Tony Jordan | 7 November 1991 | Overlapping gangs target Arthur's latest deal on stolen goods, overwhelming Ray as he tries to mediate and protect the merchandise.[89] |
| 81 | 11 | The Odds Couple | Keith Washington | Kevin McNally | 14 November 1991 | Arthur partners with a bookie for a betting syndicate, but fixed odds and a rival punter force Ray into undercover work at the races. |
| 82 | 12 | The Coach That Came in from the Cold | Diarmuid Lawrence | Bernard Dempsey | 21 November 1991 | Arthur buys a rundown coach for a tour scheme, discovering it's linked to Eastern Bloc smugglers; Ray drives the getaway amid border intrigue. |
| 83 | 13 | The Cruel Canal | Keith Washington | Kevin McNally & Bernard Dempsey | 25 December 1991 | Ray's van breaks down en route to deliver video recorders, prompting Arthur to hijack a canal barge for transport, only to tangle with waterborne thieves in a festive caper.[90] |
Series 9 (1993)
The ninth series of Minder aired on ITV from 7 January to 6 May 1993, comprising 13 episodes that continued the established dynamic between Arthur Daley (George Cole) and Ray Daley (Gary Webster), with Glynn Edwards returning as Dave Harris at the Winchester Club.[91] This series exhibited signs of formula fatigue through repetitive small-scale scams and cons, yet adopted a lighter comedic tone compared to earlier seasons, emphasizing humorous mishaps over high-stakes drama.[92] Notable guest stars included actors such as Michael Angelis and Bill Nighy, adding fresh energy to the familiar ensemble.[93] Viewership had declined from the series' mid-1980s peaks of over 16 million, averaging 12–14 million per episode amid broader shifts in audience habits. The cast maintained continuity from Series 8, with no major changes to the core principals. The episodes focused on Arthur's entrepreneurial schemes often backfiring in predictable yet entertaining ways, such as rigged competitions and dubious transport ventures, underscoring the show's enduring appeal despite growing predictability.| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 1 | I'll Never Forget Whats'ername | Ian Toynton | David Yallop | 7 January 1993 | Arthur plans to rig a pub quiz night at the Winchester by hiring an escaped convict as the quizmaster, leading to chaos when Detective Sergeant Morley closes in; Ray must navigate the fallout while protecting the club's reputation. |
| 85 | 2 | No Way to Treat a Daley | Lawrence Gordon Clark | Tim Firth | 14 January 1993 | Arthur invests in a dilapidated hot air balloon for an aerial advertising scheme, but the venture spirals when a ruthless businessman tries to exploit Ray's piloting skills, forcing a desperate escape plan.[94] |
| 86 | 3 | Uneasy Rider | Diarmuid Lawrence | Geoff Rowley | 21 January 1993 | Arthur launches a courier service called the Daley Post using faulty equipment, only to be roped into illegal deliveries by the shady Warnock brothers, putting Ray in perilous motorcycle chases.[95] |
| 87 | 4 | Looking for Mr. Goodtime | Ian Toynton | Gary Lawson | 28 January 1993 | Arthur seeks a charismatic singer for a comeback gig to boost club funds, but uncovers a web of blackmail involving the performer's shady manager, requiring Ray to intervene in a talent scam. |
| 88 | 5 | Opportunity Knocks and Bruises | Diarmuid Lawrence | Iain Roy | 4 February 1993 | To clear space in his lock-up for Russian telescopes, Arthur trades junk for a faulty fruit machine, sparking a rivalry with a local arcade owner and leading to bruising confrontations at a game tournament.[96] |
| 89 | 6 | Gone With The Winchester | Paul Annett | David Yallop | 11 February 1993 | Arthur organizes a high-stakes darts match to settle a debt, but when a professional player is threatened, Ray steps in as a reluctant substitute amid underworld pressure and pub brawls. |
| 90 | 7 | How To Succeed In Business Without Really Retiring | Richard Standeven | Bernard Dempsey | 18 February 1993 | Arthur's tipster scam involving horse racing promises quick riches, but a double-cross by accomplices leaves Ray to recover stolen funds in a tense pursuit through London's betting dens. |
| 91 | 8 | The Roof Of All Evil | Ian Toynton | Peter Hammond | 25 February 1993 | Arthur hires a roofer for the Winchester who turns out to be evading the law, leading to police interest and Ray's efforts to complete the job without complications. |
| 92 | 9 | Last Orders At The Winchester | Diarmuid Lawrence | Tony Jordan | 4 March 1993 | The Winchester faces closure due to licensing issues; Arthur schemes to save it by hosting a celebrity event, but rival pubs interfere, forcing Ray to handle the chaos. |
| 93 | 10 | Cars And Pints And Pains | Paul Annett | Leon Griffiths | 11 March 1993 | Arthur's car sales involve dodgy financing, pulling Ray into a dispute with angry customers and a bent finance company representative. |
| 94 | 11 | The Great Trilby | Ian Toynton | Bernard Dempsey & Kevin Sperring | 18 March 1993 | Arthur discovers he may inherit a fortune but needs to trace his family history involving a rare pair of shoes known as the Great Trilby, leading to comedic genealogy mishaps with Ray's help.[97] |
| 95 | 12 | A Taste Of Money | Diarmuid Lawrence | David Yallop | 25 March 1993 | Arthur invests in a wine-tasting scam that attracts sophisticated crooks, requiring Ray to pose as a sommelier to expose the fraud. |
| 96 | 13 | For A Few Dollars More | Richard Standeven | Tim Firth | 6 May 1993 | In the season finale, Arthur chases a small fortune from an old con, but international elements and double-crosses test Ray's loyalty in a multi-country pursuit. |
Series 10 (1994)
Series 10 of the British television series Minder consists of 10 episodes, marking the final season of the original run featuring the core cast of George Cole as Arthur Daley, Gary Webster as Ray Daley, and Glynn Edwards as Dave Harris. Broadcast on ITV from 6 January to 10 March 1994, the series maintained the show's signature blend of comedy, drama, and crime, with Arthur's schemes often leading to chaotic consequences for Ray. This season was produced by Euston Films for Central Television, serving as the last with the original ensemble before a 15-year hiatus.[98] Production for Series 10 occurred amid declining viewership trends from earlier peaks, with episodes averaging around 11 million viewers, reflecting the show's enduring but waning popularity in the mid-1990s. The scripts, primarily penned by regular writers like Peter Hammond and Anthony Wilks, emphasized Arthur's increasingly desperate cons, incorporating guest stars such as Patrick Ross and Michael Angelis to heighten the stakes. Directors including Charles Beeson and Martin Campbell brought a polished yet gritty visual style, filmed primarily in London locations to capture the urban underbelly central to the narrative. This season wrapped up the classic era without a definitive resolution, leaving Arthur's world open-ended.[99][100] The episodes are detailed below, including titles, original air dates, key production credits, and brief synopses.| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 1 | A Fridge Too Far | Charles Beeson | Peter Hammond | 6 January 1994 | Arthur pawns Marigold's jewels to finance a batch of cheap fridges, only to discover they contain contaminated meat, forcing Ray to dispose of them amid health inspector scrutiny.[101] |
| 98 | 2 | Another Case of Van Blank | Martin Campbell | Anthony Wilks | 13 January 1994 | Arthur and Ray travel to France for a booze run, but their van is stolen, leading to a frantic chase and a confrontation with local criminals. |
| 99 | 3 | All Things Brighton Beautiful | Charles Beeson | Tony Basgallop | 20 January 1994 | Arthur organizes a dodgy coach trip to Brighton, where a mix-up with counterfeit tickets and a shady bookmaker turns the outing into a high-stakes gamble. |
| 100 | 4 | One Flew Over the Parents' Nest | Ian Toynton | Peter Hammond | 27 January 1994 | Ray's parents visit, complicating Arthur's plan to sell a rundown nursing home, resulting in a series of mishaps and family tensions.[102] |
| 101 | 5 | The Immaculate Contraption | Martin Campbell | David McGillivray | 3 February 1994 | Arthur acquires a suspicious gadget that turns out to be part of a larger smuggling operation, drawing Ray into a web of inventors and thieves. |
| 102 | 6 | All Quiet On The West End Front | Charles Beeson | Anthony Wilks | 10 February 1994 | Arthur attempts to break into West End theater production with a dubious play, but backstage rivalries and forged tickets lead to comedic disaster for Ray. |
| 103 | 7 | The Great Depression of 1994 | Ian Toynton | Peter Hammond | 17 February 1994 | In a nod to economic woes, Arthur hoards goods anticipating a depression, but panic buying and looters force Ray to defend the stockpile. |
| 104 | 8 | On The Autofront | Charles Beeson | Tony Basgallop | 24 February 1994 | Arthur's latest car import scheme involves faulty vehicles from abroad, prompting Ray to test drive them amid chases from dissatisfied buyers. |
| 105 | 9 | Bring Me The Head Of Arthur Daley | Martin Campbell | David McGillivray | 3 March 1994 | An old enemy puts a bounty on Arthur, turning the streets into a hunt; Ray must protect him while uncovering the grudge's origins. |
| 106 | 10 | The Long Good Thursday | Ian Toynton | Peter Hammond | 10 March 1994 | In the series finale, an escaped convict with a grudge kidnaps Arthur, demanding answers about his past, while Ray races to negotiate a resolution; the story concludes on an ambiguous note without tying up all loose ends.[103] |
Series 11 (2009)
Series 11 marked a revival of the Minder franchise after a 15-year absence, airing on Channel 5 from 4 February to 11 March 2009. Produced by Talkback Thames, the six-episode series introduced a new lead cast, with Shane Richie portraying Archie Daley, the entrepreneurial nephew of the original Arthur Daley, and Lex Shrapnel as Jamie Cartwright, Archie's minder and protector. Jenna Russell co-starred as Delilah, Archie's estranged wife, while the production paid tribute to the originals through character references and cameo appearances by familiar faces from earlier series. The revival updated the show's formula to reflect contemporary London, featuring modern criminal enterprises like online scams, counterfeit goods, and financial cons amid the city's evolving urban landscape.[104][17] Despite high anticipation, the series struggled with audience reception, debuting to 2.4 million viewers for the premiere episode—a solid but underwhelming figure for Channel 5—and declining to approximately 2 million for later installments, well below the original series' peaks of over 15 million. This led to its swift cancellation after one series, with producers citing insufficient ratings to justify continuation. The revival's contemporary focus aimed to refresh the wheeler-dealer dynamic but was criticized for lacking the original's chemistry and cultural resonance.[17] The episodes were directed by David Innes Edwards (episodes 1–4) and Karl Neilson (episodes 5–6), with writing credits primarily to Tim Loane under the supervision of series creator Leon Griffiths. Each installment centered on Archie's latest "sure thing" scheme gone awry, protected by Jamie's reluctant interventions in modernized cons. Below is a list of episodes, including titles, air dates, and brief synopses.| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Better the Devil You Know | David Innes Edwards | Tim Loane | 4 February 2009 | Archie secures a charity fashion show for millionaire Felix Cornell's wife Eve, leading to a high-stakes poker invitation; Jamie uncovers the game as a elaborate con targeting Archie's funds. |
| 2 | In Vino Veritas | David Innes Edwards | Tim Loane | 11 February 2009 | Archie lends muscle to an old friend's wine import venture, only to discover it's a racket peddling counterfeit vintages to high-end buyers. |
| 3 | The Art of the Matter | David Innes Edwards | Tim Loane | 18 February 2009 | Archie flips a dubious art collection for quick profit, but Jamie reveals the pieces as forgeries in a sophisticated gallery scam. |
| 4 | A Matter of Life and Debt | David Innes Edwards | Tim Loane | 25 February 2009 | Desperate to settle debts, Archie brokers a deal with loan sharks for a client, entangling Jamie in a violent repayment enforcement plot. |
| 5 | Thank Your Lucky Stars | Karl Neilson | Tim Loane | 4 March 2009 | Archie rigs a celebrity TV game show for a payout, forcing Jamie to navigate backstage manipulations and fixed outcomes. |
| 6 | Till Debt Do Us Part | Karl Neilson | Tim Loane | 11 March 2009 | To silence Delilah's threats over his schemes, Archie backs a boxer named Ryan; when Ryan vanishes, Jamie steps in but learns the fight is fixed for him to throw. |