Villains: Billy Boy (ITV 14 Oct 1972, with William Marlowe)

William Marlowe takes centre stage as Bill Whittaker for the second time in the episode Billy Boy, of all the villains Marlowe was the most prominent. As the episode begins Bill is back in prison having been recaptured, he is surprised to find himself sharing a cell with George who seems to have recovered somewhat from almost losing an arm in the previous episode Grass. We also learn that George’s girlfriend Franca had been given an 18 month sentence for “harbouring” George.

Much of the episode takes place in flashback as Billy pays a visit to his estranged brother Eric whom he hasn’t seen for 15 years. Eric isn’t there when he gets there but his wife Caroline and daughter Janice are. Despite not being at all happy to see Bill it is clear there is some past history between Caroline and Bill. There is even some suggestion that Janice is actually Bill’s daughter.

The episode and the series ends on a very downbeat note with George and fellow cellmate Creaker discovering that Bill has hanged himself. The final line in the series goes to George… “You beat them Billy Boy. In the end.”

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 14 October 1972 at 9.30pm

Writer: Andrew Brown / Production Design: Frank Nerini / Director:  Robert Tronson

Series: Villains Episode 13 (of 13)

cast
William Marlowe as Bill Whittaker
David Daker as George
Herbert Ramskill as Creaker
Vanessa Payne as Caroline
Alex Marshall as Janice
George Baizley as Mechanic
David Burke as Eric