Shoestring: I’m A Believer (BBC-1 16 Dec 1979, Jeananne Crowley)

In I’m A Believer, the final episode of the first season, Eddie is not at all happy about the news desk trying to poach some of his cases, especially one in particular involving a young girl, Maddy Hopkins, who has become a major part of a religious cult called The Starshiners. Her mother is convinced the cult is only out to get her trust fund money which she will inherit when she turns 21.

Although broadcast as the last episode in series one it was actually the fourth episode made, it’s a good strong episode to go out on though, interesting angle with the news team listening to Eddie’s tapes on the sly in the hope of getting hold of a story and Radio West journalist Felicity Lamb proving herself to be a bit of a fly in Eddie’s ointment following him as he makes inroads into the case.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 16 December 1979

Writer: Jim Hawkins / Production Design: John Hurst / Director: Mike Vardy

Series: Shoestring Season One Episode Eleven

guest cast
CLAIRE WALKER as Maddy Hopkins
JEANANNE CROWLEY as Felicity Lamb
DAVID BEAMES as Roger
BILLY J. MITCHELL as Jim Huckle
PRESTON LOCKWOOD as Stephen Steele
DEREK SEATON as Rayburn
GEOFFREY BATEMAN as Disc Jockey
FRANCIS SARGENT as Crispin
MARY KENTON as Mrs Holdwing
ZOE GONORD as Maria
CHRISTINE POLLON as Mrs Hopkins
JULIE NEUBERT as Angela
COLIN MAITLAND as Sound Engineer
STEVE ISMAY as Kenwright
JOHN VINE as Radio Announcer
HELEN CLEAVES as Phone In Girl