Blue Heaven

1 9 9 4 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

This Channel 4 sitcom – belatedly following on from a pilot made in 1992 – starred comedian Frank Skinner (who also wrote the series) as likeable Brummie lad Frank Sandford.

Frank and his Irish pal “Roache” (Conleth Hill) were would-be pop stars in a hopeless amateur band called ‘Blue Heaven’. But Frank’s dad, Jim (John Forgeham) didn’t approve of his son tickling the ivories: “At your age, I was more interested in tickling the ovaries”.

So Frank argued with his womanising dad and his sherry-swigging mum, Ivy (Paula Wilcox), chased unattainable women and listened to the confused philosophising of Prem (Nadim Sawalha), an elderly Asian chap who followed him about.

Frank frequently broke the “fourth wall” to address the viewing audience directly.

Guest stars included Beryl Reid, Hugh Lloyd, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig, Philip Glenister, and Tony Robinson.

Frank Sandford
Frank Skinner
Roache
Conleth Hill
Ivy Sandford
Paula Wilcox
Jim Sandford
John Forgeham
Prem
Nadim Sawalha
Ralph
Peter Corey
Shereen
Serena Gordon
Sam
Kate Lonergan