Popular long-running hit drama Soldier Soldier was based around a group of soldiers and officers serving in the King’s Own Fusiliers regiment. Privates Dave Tucker (Robson Green) and Paddy Garvey (Jerome Flynn) are the two main characters, who invariably end up getting into scrapes – usually thanks to Tucker. In addition to the soldiers’ own personal relationships, the show does tackle some of the bigger domestic issues affecting the British Army, such as the merging of regiments as a result of downsizing.
Memorable moments: Tucker’s stormy relationship with his wife Donna, who doesn’t enjoy being an army wife and constantly goads her husband to leave. Tucker then faces a court martial for going Absent Without Leave, after discovering Donna in bed with another man.
Trivia: Green and Flynn launched a hugely successful (if short-lived) music career as Robson & Jerome, after non-other-than Simon Cowell spotted them singing The Righteous Brothers’ hit Unchained Melody on the show. In May 1995 the pair became the first British duo to debut at Number 1 with said song. Their follow-up single I Believe/Up on The Roof famously kept Oasis’ Wonderwall off the top spot in November 1995.
Robson Green: “I have very fond memories of recording Soldier Soldier… I was on £55 a week, I auditioned for a show called Soldier Soldier and I then travel first class to Australia, to Hong Kong, to New Zealand, to Cyprus, South Africa, and they called me Mr Green on the plane. And of course, I worked with the wonderful Jerome Flynn”
cast
Robson Green as Fusilier Dave Tucker
Jerome Flynn as Cpl Paddy Garvey
Rosie Rowell as Donna Tucker
Ben Nealon as Lt Jeremy Forsythe
Gary Love as Sgt Tony Wilton
Annabelle Apsion as Joy Wilton
Danny Cunningham as Fus Andy Butcher
Denise Welch as Marsha Stubbs
Rob Spendlove as CSM Michael Stubbs
David Groves as Fusilier Joe Farrell
Holly Aird as Cpl Nancy Thorpe RMP
Shaun Dingwall as Lance Cpl Steve Evans
Lesley Vickerage as Lt Kate Butler
Dorian Healy as Captain Kieran Voce
crew details
Creator: Lucy Gannon
Theme Music: Jim Parker
Titles: The Moving Picture Co.
Military Advisor: Lt Col Peter Bishop OBE
Producers: Chris Kelly, Christopher Neame, Ann Tricklebank
production details
Country: UK
Network and Production Companies: ITV – Central
Duration: 82×50 minute episodes
Aired From: 10 June 1991 – 9 December 1997
