Coasting (ITV 1990, James Purefoy, Peter Howitt)

In the single season Coasting brothers Eddie and Mike Baker find themselves forced to flee London and seek refuge in Blackpool when a business scheme goes awry. The northern side of the family are owners of a theme park and Mike and Eddie arrive just in time for a funeral that sees them left a share of the park in the deceased’s will. The pair decide that staying on to help out could be just what they need.

The central storyline is quite strong as is the cast but there are a few cringeworthy moments, not least Peter Howitt’s dancing in a nightclub scene. Coasting offered up an early role for future heart throb James Purefoy who as Mike is the voice of sanity to his brother Eddie’s hare brained schemes.

The final episode is quite surreal too with much of the action taking place during a Laurel and Hardy convention. There is a dreadful theme tune, sounds like a single that a pair of footballers (such as Hoddle and Waddle) might release.

production details
UK / ITV – Granada – Cinema Verity / 7×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 26 October – 7 December 1990

Creators: John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch / Original Idea: Anthony Bygraves, David Reilly / Costumes: Charlotte Holdich / Titles: Bob Cosford / Theme Music: Peter Howitt, David Mackay / Sung by Peter Howitt / Incidental Music: David Mackay / Production Design: Chris Wilkinson / Executive Producer: Sally Head / Producer: Verity Lambert / Director: David Tucker

cast
PETER HOWITT as Eddie Baker
JAMES PUREFOY as Mike Baker
BARRIE RUTTER as Danny Ryan
SUE JENKINS as Julie Ryan
SANDRA HENDRICKSE as Theresa Ryan
JOE MARLOW as Seamus Ryan
NATALIE BUTTERWORTH, SUZANNE WATT AND ANDREW ASPDEN as Danny and Julie’s Children
JUNE BARRIE as Maria Ryan
JUDY BROOKE as Jackie
ABIGAIL CRUTTENDEN as Emma
CHRIS SPARKEY as Dorian

THE EPISODES
1. ILLUMINATIONS
2. OFFSHORE
3. BLACKPOOL ROCK
4. POETIC JUSTICE
5. PRESS STUD
6. STAR QUALITY
7. ANOTHER FINE MESS