Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Comedy
    Comedy TV Shows - 1980s TV Shows - 1990s 3 Mins Read

    Bread

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 8 6 – 1 9 9 1 (UK)
    74 x 30 minute episodes

    The Boswell family, from Liverpool, are experts at living off Social Security while making ends meet by whatever means necessary. None of them is (legitimately) employed, but they own their own terraced house – at 30 Kelsall Street – and live quite a good life with the help of frequent supplemental Social Security payments and various jobs on the side and other moneymaking schemes.

    The matriarch and head of the family is Nellie – a robust and capable “Ma” who has brought up her children without much help from her unfaithful husband, Freddie (Ronald Forfar).

    Nellie (Jean Boht) is fiercely proud, loyal (and Catholic) and uses her sheer force of personality to keep the family on her version of the straight and narrow.

    The four boys are Joey (initially Peter Howett and then Graham Bickley), who holds the family together financially – it was he who bought the family home; Jack (Victor McGuire); Adrian (Jonathon Morris) – who had changed his name from Jimmy; and Billy (Nick Conway).

    The Boswell’s daughter, Aveline (originally Gilly Coman and then Melanie Hill), spends most of her time dreaming of being a model and/or having a baby.

    Completing the immediate family are Grandad (Kenneth Waller), who lives next door, and the various wives and girlfriends of the lads – Julie for Billy, Carmen for Jack, Irenee for Adrian – and Aveline’s beau (and later husband) Oswald the vicar.

    Rounding off the set is Freddie’s “bit on the side”, Lilo Lil (Eileen Pollock); a sharp-tongued DHSS official named Martina (Pamela Power); Irish cousin Shifty (Brian Murray) – by name and nature; his ex-girlfriend Celia (Rita Tushingham) and a whole swag of memorable irregulars.

    Debuting on 1 May 1986, the initial response to the series was poor with critics taking a predictable stance, labelling the series “stale” and “crummy” and utilising every other bread pun they could.

    More damning was the response from writer Carla Lane’s beloved city of Liverpool, where local reviewers accused her of reinforcing the stereotype of Scouse scrounger.

    The controversy abated, though, when the show fell into its stride and the audience figures picked up. By the fourth series, the popularity of the comedy was gigantic. The episode where Aveline and Oswald married in December 1988 attracted more than 21 million viewers.

    The 30 October 1988 episode featured a cameo appearance from Carla Lane’s friends Paul and Linda McCartney.

    External filming for the series took place in Elswick Street, in the Dingle area of Liverpool.

    Nellie Boswell 
    Jean Boht
    Joey Boswell 

    Peter Howett (1)
    Graham Bickley (2)
    Jack Boswell 

    Victor McGuire
    Adrian Boswell 

    Jonathon Morris
    Billy Boswell 

    Nick Conway
    Aveline Boswell 

    Gilly Coman (1)
    Melanie Hill (2)
    Grandad 

    Kenneth Waller
    Freddie Boswell 

    Ronald Forfar
    Shifty 

    Brian Murray
    Oswald 

    Giles Watling
    Julie Boswell
    Caroline Milmoe (1)
    Hilary Crowson (2)
    Lilo Lill 

    Eileen Pollock
    Celia Higgins 

    Rita Tushingham
    Martina 

    Pamela Power
    Roxy 

    Joanna Phillips-Lane
    Leonora Campbell 

    Deborah Grant

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Mitch
      Mitch
      1 9 8 4 (UK) 10 x 60 minute episodes John Thaw slowed down the pace since his action-packed days…
    • Liver Birds, The
      Liver Birds, The
      1 9 6 9 - 1 9 7 9 (UK) 1 9 9 6 (UK) 87 x 30 minute episodes What's got…
    • Divided We Stand
      Divided We Stand
      1 9 8 7 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes The only real reason to watch BBC1's Divided We Stand - a comedy…
    • Hothouse
      Hothouse
      1 9 8 8 (USA) 1 x 120 minute episode 6 x 60 minute episodes Debuting in June 1988, this short-lived…
    • Satellite City
      Satellite City
      1 9 9 6 - 1 9 9 9 (UK) 18 x 30 minute episodes 1 x 60 minute special…
    • Gloria
      Gloria
      1 9 8 2 - 1 9 8 3 (USA) 1 x 60 minute episode 21 x 30 minute episodes Yet…
    • Shine On Harvey Moon
      Shine On Harvey Moon
      1 9 8 2 - 1 9 8 5 (UK) 12 x 30 minute episodes 23 x 60 minute episodes After…
    • Thorns, The
      Thorns, The
      1 9 8 8 (USA) 12 x 30 minute episodes Mike Nichols produced this caviar comedy about a family of nouveau…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleBlack Adder
    Next Article Big Train

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Glen and Randa (1971)
      When we first meet Glen (Steven Curry) and Randa (Shelley […]
    • Battle of the Planets
      1 9 7 8 – 1 9 8 5 (USA/Japan) 85 x 25 minute episodes […]
    • Wait Till Your Father Gets Home
      1 9 7 2 – 1 9 7 4 (USA) 48 x 30 minute episodes This […]
    • Bernie
      1 9 7 8 – 1 9 8 0 (UK) 14 x 30 minute episodes After 30 […]
    • Saturday Crowd, The
      1 9 6 9 (UK) 28 x 35 minute episodes Leslie Crowther starred in […]
    • 1974
      January 01 – Golda Meir wins Israeli election. 01 – […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    9 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 6
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    15 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    4 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends. 

If they only knew what lay ahead . . .

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends.

    If they only knew what lay ahead . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 18
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I always hated the Beatles, and as it happens I still do.

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.