Prospects

1 9 8 6 (UK)
12 x 60 minute episodes

This gritty comedy-drama series, made by Thames Television offshoot Euston Films for Channel 4, followed two East End geezers: Jimmy ‘Pincy’ Pince (Gary Olsen) and Billy Pearson (Brian Bovell) trying to scrape a living in London’s Isle of Dogs. All cash in hand, of course, because they were on the dole.

Pincy and Billy had diversified into boxing, computer dating and flogging a stolen burglar alarm, although Billy might have been better at boxing (“Forget about style. Beat him up!”) if he could have found a video machine to play his Rocky cassette, and ‘Unidate’ – the world’s only astrological agency (“Let us introduce you to the heavenly body of your choice!”) – attracts 27 women and only one man . . .

Pincy and Billy might have gone further and faster if they weren’t incessantly harried by creditors demanding money with menaces. By the end of the series, the two lovable rogues were banged up in prison, having had their collars felt by Detective Sergeant Halforth (Ben Howard).

Guest stars included Colin Jeavons, Hazel O’Connor, Bernard Hepton, John Blundell, Ken Jones and Nicholas Young. The series was written by Minder and Grange Hill veteran, Alan Janes.

Jimmy “Pincey” Pince
Gary Olsen
Billy Pearson
Brian Bovell
Mickey Smith
Peter Lovstrom
Mona
Chrissie Cotterill
Detective Sergeant Halforth
Ben Howard
Del
Mike Savage