New Scotland Yard: My Boy Robby? (ITV 12 Jan 1973, Dennis Waterman)

In My Boy Robby?, the final episode from the second season, Kingdom and Ward investigate the particularly vicious murder of a young woman. The killer is Robby Bayliss (played by Dennis Waterman a year before he would swap sides as Detective Sergeant Carter in The Sweeney.) His father Charlie is something of a local big shot with a string of betting shops to his name and will stop at nothing to protect his son.

During an interview with Ward Robby breaks down and admits to killing the girl, he then passes out and as Ward tries to bring him round (with a slap to the face!) Robby’s solicitor and Kingdom walk in on them.

Typically Ward is very much in deep water here despite telling the truth, thankfully Kingdom believes him this time.

A fabulous supporting cast make this one of the best episodes of the season. Almost all of the supporting cast are faces you will recognise – including Don Henderson with a full head of hair (although it could be a wig!). Interestingly although they don’t share any scenes together here Dennis Blanch and Don Henderson would go on to star in Strangers together later in the decade.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 12 January 1973 at 9.00pm

Writer: Tony Hoare / Production Design: David Catley / Director: Paul Annett

Series: New Scotland Yard Season 2 Episode 13

cast
John Woodvine as John Kingdom
John Carlisle as Alan Ward
Avril Elgar as Miss Jones
Dennis Waterman as Robby Baylis
Bernard Kay as Charlie Baylis
Dennis Blanch as Detective Constable Thomas
Christine Shaw as Paula
Diane Mercer as Carol Owens
Ken Wynne as Roland Coyne
John Savident as Rupert Medway
Don Henderson as Harry Watson
Derek Deadman as Billy Dixon