Bergerac: A Hole in the Bucket (BBC-1 10 Dec 1983, with Celia Gregory)

In A Hole in the Bucket, despite being about to go on leave Jim is told that he has to work with Liz Phillips, A WDCI, whilst she is on the holiday looking after the chief witness, Terri Fuller, in a major crime bust.

The problems begin when Terri, something of a drug addict, makes a run for it and she is spotted by pilot Tug Williams. Tug, despite living on the island, has London gangland connections. She then meets up with London journalist Brewster who is planning to sell her story to the highest bidder. Once he has his story Brewster hands Terri back over to the police but the stakes are raised when Liz is shot by a hitman.

Interestingly in this third season, Marianne Bellshade (who was Jim’s girlffriend in the last season) is no longer on the scene and with no explanation of where she has gone. In fact Jim is getting pretty cosy with ex-wife Deborah. Peter Childs plays journalist Brewster.

The episode ends with a strong action/chase sequence on the beach involving Tug’s light aircraft and Jim (driving Debbie’s car).

The title, A Hole in the Bucket, refers to the fact that there is leak somewhere at the London end which is why Liz and Terri are on Jersey in the first place.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 10 December 1983 at 9.00pm

Writer: Bill Craig / Production Design: Marjorie Pratt / Director: Ian Toynton

Series: Bergerac Season 3 Episode 2

cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Terence Alexander as Charles Hungerford
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Annette Badland as Charlotte
Deborah Grant as Debbie
Mela White as Diamante Lil
Rosy Clayton as Terri Fuller
Celia Gregory as Liz Phillips
Barrie Cookson as Forbes
Peter Childs as Brewster
Godfrey James as Tug Williams
Bruce Liddington as Skinner
Giles Meredith as Hitman
Donald Morley as Beresford
Geoffrey Leesley as Det Con Wilson
Michael Maynard as Policeman
Jane Hayward as Receptionist
Patrick Murray as Barman
Arthur Kelly as Video salesman
Julian Cope as Mechanic