1 9 8 4 – 1 9 8 6 (UK)
30 x 50 minute episodes
At the age of 40, Londoner Robby Box (Ray Brooks) had not done a day’s work since leaving school.
Instead, he made a living playing poker and betting on horses and dogs at Gil’s betting shop, staffed by grumbling Gil Roach (Frank Mills) and his sharp-tongued assistant Joan (Deirdre Costello).
The sudden realisation that his life was passing him by and that he had nothing to show for his misspent youth made Box decide to ‘go straight’, calling on the help of his blonde girlfriend, Jan Oliver (Sheffield-born Sharon Duce), and her teenage daughter, Debby (Lisa Geoghan).
Things didn’t always go to plan though, especially with the taxman on Robby’s tail and Jan always likely to walk out on him. Jan, too, had her problems. She wanted Robby to change but she also loved him just the way he was.
In the second season, Robby’s efforts to become respectable led to his taking over The Dragon Club, but life didn’t get any easier.
Robby Box
Ray Brooks
Jan Oliver
Sharon Duce
Debby Oliver
Lisa Geoghan
Tommy
James Ottaway
Henry Diamond
Tony Caunter
Joan
Deirdre Costello
Geordie
Andy Mulligan
Irish
Alan Mason
Ferret
Kenneth Waller
Kipper
Roger Walker
Vi Box
Pamela Cundell
Dick Mayer
Stephen Tate
Black George
Alex Tetteh-Lartey
Alison Diamond
Marion Bailey
Gil Roach
Frank Mills
Christine
Paulina Dare