Albert and Me: The Complete Series 1 & 2

Synopsis

Richard Beckinsale and Robert Lindsay star in this BBC radio sitcom about a single dad left holding the babyBryan Archer's girlfriend has run off with the electrician, leaving him to raise their 18-month-old son, Albert, alone. Fortunately, Bryan's mum Pat is around to help out, but he still needs to get a job and earn enough money to pay the rent. Can he find an employer who'll let him bring Albert along?These seventeen episodes follow Bryan's mishaps and adventures juggling work and childcare, as he tries out as a cosmetic salesman, takes a driving job - but gets caught up in crime, and finds employment as a temporary filing clerk, where he has a bit of bother with a missing file. On holiday with Albert in Frimlington, he finds his fellow holidaymakers aren't too welcoming, and a family Christmas turns farcical when he realises he's managed to get himself double-booked for the festivities. And there are challenges in store as he tries to get a loan to buy a house, attempts to save his sister's marriage, and gets a scare when his little boy is taken into hospital for tests...Created by award-winning writer Jim Eldridge, whose credits include King Street Junior and Parsley Sidings, thissitcom about a doting single dad originally starred the late Richard Beckinsale as Bryan in the pilot and original 1977 series. The second series, broadcast in 1983, saw Robert Lindsay taking his place, and Pat Coombs reprising her roles as Mum and baby Albert. The guest cast includes Douglas Blackwell, Dilys Laye, Gorden Kaye and Marcia Warren.Production creditsWritten by Jim EldridgeProduced by John Fawcett WilsonIncidental music: Max HarrisFirst broadcast BBC Radio 2, 5 January 1977 (Pilot), 5 November-24 December 1977 (Series 1), 16 March-4 May 1983 (Series 2)CastBryan Archer - Richard Beckinsale/Robert LindsayMum/Albert - Pat CoombsDad - John ComerVernon Wordsworth - Frank ThorntonAnna Jameson - Sharon DuceAlice - Anne CunninghamThe Magistrate/Dave/Mr Graham - Douglas BlackwellJoe Billings/Fred - Harry FowlerMr Benson - John ArnattSandra - Karin MacCarthyRex - Terence AlexanderMrs Warburton - Jan HoldenLabour Exchange official - Milton JohnsStephanie - Madeline SmithHarry Ponder - John JunkinMr Simpson - Reginald MarshLinda - Joanna DavidNursery nurse - Heather BellMr Wiggins - Peter VaughanMavis - Cheryl HallDeirdre - Helen WorthJane - Diane KeenEdward - Jon LaurimoreWelfare lady/Mrs Featherstone-Haugh/Mrs Hagger - Dilys LayeBenefit official - Robin ParkinsonUncle Eric - Michael RobbinsMr Smith - David RyallBank manager/Mr Benson - John ArnattNurse - Penelope ReynoldsPolice Sergeant - Robert GillespieRose - Diana BerrimanGran - Patricia HayesMaureen - Celia BannermanStore assistant - Kenneth ShanleyMrs Willis - Diana KingRon - Larry MartynMary - Rosalind AdamsMr Tibbies/Arnold - Roland MacLeodVera - Marcia WarrenEdward - Gorden KayeJoe - Ron PemberJob Centre Clerk - David GrahamVikkie - Sherrie HewsonMrs Weston - Frances JeaterAmateur Photographer - John TordoffTerry - Derek MartinAlison - Deidre CostelloCharlie - Peter CleallAndy - John KaneMr Charlesworth - Bernard GallagherMrs Charlesworth - Lynda BaronSandra/Doreen - Wendy MurrayLady Samantha - Sarah BergerVicar - Michael BiltonJenny - Brenda BlethynGP - Renu SetnaNurse - Tammy Ustinov