Episode Guide
Pilot, 19 March 1998
Not much is known about the pilot episode.
Series 1
Episode 1 If You Scratch My Back, 16 February 2000
A geography teacher (Kenny), a dentist (Johnny), a beautician (Lorelei) and a boxer (Bozo) are members of an amateur acappella group looking for their break into the big times so that they can all quit their respective day jobs. A record executive offers Kenny a recording contract, Kenny’s initial high hopes were dashed when it turns out that its not really the group’s music that she is interested in.
Episode 2 The Perfect Man, 23 February 2000
Bozo’s boxing break means a rock ‘n’ roll replacement is needed for the band, someone with rock ‘n’ roll mystique. Nelson joins the group.
Episode 3 If You Sack Me, I’ll Leave, 1 March 2000
The band must get assertive with scary Lorelei but will they be able to drop her from the band? Johnny’s love life is in tatters because Roxanne does not wish to see him anymore.
Episode 4 Band of Gold, 8 March 2000
The band has a gig to sing at an engagement party. The only party is, the prospective groom is one of Lorelei’s ex. As the band cover miles to get to the gig, they also uncover old scores.
Series 2
Episode 1 Meet the Wife, 3 July 2001
Lorelei arranges a gig for the band to sing at her old school reunion. Kenny is married and divorced in a day. Johnny decides to make himself more attractive through the power of lying.
Episode 2 Fifteen Minutes of Fame, 10 July 2001
The band enters a TV talent show. Will it spark success or will they return to oblivion?
Episode 3 East Coast Story, 17 July 2001
Kenny gets the band a booking to sing on a cruise ship. It may only be a reconditioned destroyer, but Johnny fancies a chance at marrying some wealthy widow and Nelson needs to get away from his separation anxiety group. The only problem is, Lorelei just got cast in West Side Story, as Maria, she thinks and does not want to go.
Episode 4 The Ballad of Kenny and Christine, 24 July 2001
Kenny’s new girlfriend, Christine, wants to join the band but the problem is, she can’t sing.
Cast
Kenny – Stephen Tompkinson
Johnny – Adrian Scarborough
Nelson – Brian Bovell
Bozo – Clive Rowe
Lorelei – Nicola Walker
Broadcast Dates
The show was first broadcast on BBC Radio 7 from 2000 onwards and has been repeated a number of times over the years, almost on an annual basis. However, there appears to be intellectual property rights disputes which resulted in Episode 3 of Series 2 not being rebroadcast with the rest of the episodes.
Each episode lasted a little less than half an hour and features all of the cast singing (either alone or together) snippets of songs, a cappella style. It must be said that Nicola has a very pleasant and clear singing voice!
Other comments
This is one of those rare times when Nicola plays a sassy, man-eating female character and she is absolutely brilliant in it!
Six Degrees
Tony Gardner who played Lorelei’s high school sweetheart in episode 201 also appears in Last Tango in Halifax [TV] with Nicola.
Adrian Scarborough and Nicola both appeared in A Dance to the Music of Time [TV] though they did not share any scenes together.
Stephen Tompkinson was reunited with Nicola in the radio play, Life Coach [Radio].
Update : 1 July 2011
BBC Radio 4 Extra will be repeating this programme on Friday, 8 July 2011 at 23:30 GMT. Non UK fans can listen via the BBC Radio iPlayer on the broadcast date and for seven days thereafter. The BBC Radio iPlayer does not have any geographical restrictions.
Update : 21 July 2012
BBC Radio 4 Extra will be repeating Series 1 of this programme on Friday, 27 July 2012 at 23:30 GMT. Non UK fans can listen via the BBC Radio iPlayer on the broadcast date and for seven days thereafter. The BBC Radio iPlayer does not have any geographical restrictions.
Update : 10 November 2012
BBC Radio 4 Extra will be repeating Series 2 of this programme as from Friday 10 November 2012 at 23:00 GMT. Tune in, wherever you are in the world!
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Nicola in a rare comedic role, and to hear her sing!
Please also read our Post on this rebroadcast.
Update : 20 July 2022
Availability on Audible
The show is available to buy from Audible (US & UK) and all other audiobook outlets as from 11 August 2022.
This is my favourite Nicola radio play. It’s so hilarious and I never get sick of listening to the episodes. My family and I regularly quote bits of it now.