Crocodile Shoes: The Truth (BBC-1 1994 with Amy Madigan)

In The Truth Jed heads home to Newcastle for Jock’s funeral angry with Ade for keeping his death from him and he also learns a few home truths about what life is like back home. Thanks to Carmel Cantrell’s manager though Ade manages to wangle a record deal for Jed (even if all they are really interested in is getting his publishing rights), Ade also decides to come clean about how he ended up with Jed’s tape. It finally looks like things are getting going for Jed and his music.

An episode full of emotional truths and realisations. Jed tells Adrian that he is a widower (his wife and child having died of carbon monoxide poisoning) and that was the catalyst that led to him writing his own songs. There are some interesting contrasts between Jed’s new world and that of his now out of work mates back home, one of whom, George, is having a serious breakdown (and in a sad coda takes his own life).

production details
UK / BBC One – Big Boy – Red Rooster / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 8 December 1994

Writer: Jimmy Nail / Director: David Richards

Series: Crocodile Shoes Season 1 Episode 5

guest cast
AMY MADIGAN as Carmel Cantrell
BURT YOUNG as Lou Benedetti
BERWICK KALER as George
SAMMY JOHNSON as Archie
MIKE ELLIOT as Bobby
CHRISTOPHER NICHOL as Paul
DONALD McBRIDE as Priest
TREVOR FOX as Tony
TOM MANNION as Jamie Ronson
CHRISTOPHER FAIRBANK as Alan Clarke
MICHAEL NEIL as Peter Clementi
ROY PATTISON as Walter Fines
PAUL PALANCE as Big Chrissy
JEFFREY KNOX as Omo
COLIN MacLACHLAN as Emma’s Client
EDWARD WILSON as Perry Howell
JOHN BOWLER as Pep
MATTHEW MARSH as D.I. Machin
ALAN TALBOT as Bailiff One
BILL HOMEWOOD as Bailiff Two
GINNY HOLDER as Sue Nbokei
NORAH FULTON as Elsie
VINCE PELLEGRINO as Snotter
OLIVER HADEN as Ox
JOHN SCARBOROUGH as Porter
JEREMY BECKMAN as Jeremy Lovell
GARY SEFTON as Dosser
JULIA FARINO as Receptionist