Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (BBC Crime, Patricia Routledge)

In crime drama series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates elderly Lancashire housewife Hetty Wainthropp (Patricia Routledge) is unwilling to take on the burdens of retirement and sets up in business as a private detective helped only by a young tearaway called Geoffrey (Dominic Monaghan) who she takes under her wing. The excellent Derek Benfield played Hetty’s husband Robert.

Hetty was set in Blackburn, Lancashire in the town of Darwen with Hetty living in the street of East Park Avenue. Another series to make use of Lancashire locations was the BBC Comedy Drama Preston Front which used the fictional setting of Roker Bridge but which was really several difficult locations including Darwen, Padiham (birthplace of the super smashing Jim Bowen) and Bromley Cross.

Hetty attracted quite a few well known names for guest appearances across it’s four seasons including Jane Danson, Rebecca Callard, Sue Johnston, Polly Hemingway, Ronald Pickup, Amelia Bullmore, Mel Martin, Siobhan Finneran, Frank Mills and Lesley Dunlop.

Hetty had actually first appeared in a 1990 TV movie called Missing Persons. This was made by Yorkshire for ITV. Routledge was Hetty but husband Robert was played by Tony Melody.

Cast: PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE as Hetty Wainthropp; DEREK BENFIELD as Robert Wainthropp; DOMINIC MONAGHAN as Geoffrey; JOHN GRAHAM DAVIES as Detective Chief Inspector Adams

Creators: David Cook, John Bowen / Music: Nigel Hess / Producer: Carol Parks / Executive Producers: Michael Wearing, Jo Wright, Mal Young

UK / BBC One / 27×50 minutes / 3 January 1996 – 4 September 1998