1 9 8 0 (UK)
13 x 60 minute episodes
Thames Television produced this 13-part story of 70-year-old South London Godfather Billy Fox (Peter Vaughan) – who terrified other villains but was kind to the ordinary folk on his manner – and his large family, including second wife Connie (Elizabeth Spriggs), his five sons and their respective wives, mistresses and offspring.
The boys were Vin (Bernard Hill), working in the construction industry, Kenny (Ray Winstone), an aspiring welterweight boxer, Joey (Larry Lamb), a womanising taxi driver, Phil (Eamon Boland), a student, and finally Ray (Derrick O’Connor).
Also prominent were Vin’s wife, Renie (Rosemary Martin) and their deaf son, Andy (Richard Weinbaum), who was Billy’s pride and joy.
The drama showed how the family struggled to deal with ‘King’ Billy’s death.
Despite receiving the Monday night 9 pm timeslot, Fox never made the ratings Top 10, but was compelling drama all the same.
Billy Fox
Peter Vaughan
Connie Fox
Elizabeth Spriggs
Vin Fox
Bernard Hill
Kenny Fox
Ray Winstone
Joey Fox
Larry Lamb
Phil Fox
Eamon Boland
Ray Fox
Derrick O’Connor
Renie Fox
Rosemary Martin
Nan
Cindy O’Callaghan
Anna Pegram
Yvette Dotrice
Carol
Trudie Goodwin
Andy Fox
Richard Weinbaum
Madeline
Helen Gelzer
Eddie
Patrick Hannaway
Albert
Bob Bryan
Liz
Patricia Quinn
Episodes
King Billy | Arched Fingers For Bach, Flat Fingers For Love | Pugilism Not Vandalism | It’s All Them Psychia-Whatever-You-Call-It Books | Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble | Stick Or Twist | The Perfect Scapegoat Syndrome | If It’s Good Enough For New Orleans It’s Good Enough For Clapham | Fox: Big ‘F’ Family | Just An Iron Monkey | Just Another Villain In A Cheap Suit | Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear | The Family . . . And The Future
