Albert and Me: The Complete Series 1 & 2: A BBC Radio comedy drama

Richard Beckinsale and Robert Lindsay star in this BBC radio sitcom about a single dad left holding the baby

Bryan 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 credits Written by Jim Eldridge Produced by John Fawcett Wilson Incidental music: Max Harris First broadcast BBC Radio 2, 5 January 1977 (Pilot), 5 November-24 December 1977 (Series 1), 16 March-4 May 1983 (Series 2)

Cast Bryan Archer - Richard Beckinsale/Robert Lindsay Mum/Albert - Pat Coombs Dad - John Comer Vernon Wordsworth - Frank Thornton Anna Jameson - Sharon Duce Alice - Anne Cunningham The Magistrate/Dave/Mr Graham - Douglas Blackwell Joe Billings/Fred - Harry Fowler Mr Benson - John Arnatt Sandra - Karin MacCarthy Rex - Terence Alexander Mrs Warburton - Jan Holden Labour Exchange official - Milton Johns Stephanie - Madeline Smith Harry Ponder - John Junkin Mr Simpson - Reginald Marsh Linda - Joanna David Nursery nurse - Heather Bell Mr Wiggins - Peter Vaughan Mavis - Cheryl Hall Deirdre - Helen Worth Jane - Diane Keen Edward - Jon Laurimore Welfare lady/Mrs Featherstone-Haugh/Mrs Hagger - Dilys Laye Benefit official - Robin Parkinson Uncle Eric - Michael Robbins Mr Smith - David Ryall Bank manager/Mr Benson - John Arnatt Nurse - Penelope Reynolds Police Sergeant - Robert Gillespie Rose - Diana Berriman Gran - Patricia Hayes Maureen - Celia Bannerman Store assistant - Kenneth Shanley Mrs Willis - Diana King Ron - Larry Martyn Mary - Rosalind Adams Mr Tibbies/Arnold - Roland MacLeod Vera - Marcia Warren Edward - Gorden Kaye Joe - Ron Pember Job Centre Clerk - David Graham Vikkie - Sherrie Hewson Mrs Weston - Frances Jeater Amateur Photographer - John Tordoff Terry - Derek Martin Alison - Deidre Costello Charlie - Peter Cleall Andy - John Kane Mr Charlesworth - Bernard Gallagher Mrs Charlesworth - Lynda Baron Sandra/Doreen - Wendy Murray Lady Samantha - Sarah Berger Vicar - Michael Bilton Jenny - Brenda Blethyn GP - Renu Setna Nurse - Tammy Ustinov

© 2021 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529141252

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Lydbog: 7. januar 2021