First broadcast on ITV in 1983, the comedy-drama 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' about a group of British construction workers who found work in (West) Germany, was a hit show and made stars of its cast, notably Geordie actor Jimmy Nail (cast as builder 'Oz'), Timothy Spall (as electrician Barry), Kevin Whately (who played Neville, he later had another hit role alongside John Thaw in the 'Inspector Morse' series), Tim Healy (who played lead character Dennis) and wrestler-turned-actor Pat 'Bomber' Roach, whose character was coincidentally called Bomber. Also starring in this series was Gary Holton, a former rock musician who played 'chirpy Cockney' carpenter Wayne.
The first series, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais of 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?' fame, chronicled the group as they worked on a site in Düsseldorf, finding that their accommodation was not the promised hostel, but a small hut ('like a PoW camp' according to the group) and chronicling the interaction between the guys, who hailed from different parts of the country (including one Scouse character, plasterer 'Moxey' played by Christopher Fairbank) but centred on the three Geordies in the group, 'Oz' (Jimmy Nail), Dennis (Tim Healey) and Neville (Kevin Whately). Although set in Germany, much of the filming took place on the backlot at Borehamwood (used in many UK productions including 'The Prisoner') which was then operated by series producers Central TV. A notable 'first' for this series was the use of lightweight video cameras, then in their infancy and used more frequently by news reporters at that time.
By the end of series one, the guys were forced to return to the UK as a change in tax laws meant their stay in Germany was no longer tenable. It wasn't until 1986 that a follow-up series was produced with the guys now working on a site in Wolverhampton then heading to Spain to work on another project. Sadly, actor Gary Holton died during filming of this series; with body doubles and script rewrites used to compensate for his absence.
After many years off-screen the surviving cast were reunited in 2002 for a new series, this time airing on BBC One, to further success and a second series was commissioned in 2004. In Holton's place, actor Noel Clarke joined the cast as Wayne's son Wyman. The saga finally concluded in December that year with a two-part special.
Many of the cast are still known to this day for their roles in this series, Spall in particular is frequently cast as a Brummie even though he is actually a Londoner. The series is fondly remembered today, and has sometimes been repeated on satellite TV.
The theme tune 'That's Living Alright' was a hit single for singer Joe Fagin, here is his performance on Top of The Pops:
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