Albert and Me: The Complete Series 1 & 2

Richard Beckinsale and Robert Lindsay star in this BBC radio sitcom about a single dad left holding the baby

Bryan Archer's girlfriend has run off with the electrician, leaving him to raise their 18-month-old son, Albert, alone. Fortunately, Bryan's mum Pat is around to help out, but he still needs to get a job and earn enough money to pay the rent. Can he find an employer who'll let him bring Albert along?

These seventeen episodes follow Bryan's mishaps and adventures juggling work and childcare, as he tries out as a cosmetic salesman, takes a driving job - but gets caught up in crime, and finds employment as a temporary filing clerk, where he has a bit of bother with a missing file. On holiday with Albert in Frimlington, he finds his fellow holidaymakers aren't too welcoming, and a family Christmas turns farcical when he realises he's managed to get himself double-booked for the festivities. And there are challenges in store as he tries to get a loan to buy a house, attempts to save his sister's marriage, and gets a scare when his little boy is taken into hospital for tests...

Created by award-winning writer Jim Eldridge, whose credits include King Street Junior and Parsley Sidings, thissitcom about a doting single dad originally starred the late Richard Beckinsale as Bryan in the pilot and original 1977 series. The second series, broadcast in 1983, saw Robert Lindsay taking his place, and Pat Coombs reprising her roles as Mum and baby Albert. The guest cast includes Douglas Blackwell, Dilys Laye, Gorden Kaye and Marcia Warren.

Production credits
Written by Jim Eldridge
Produced by John Fawcett Wilson
Incidental music: Max Harris
First broadcast BBC Radio 2, 5 January 1977 (Pilot), 5 November-24 December 1977 (Series 1), 16 March-4 May 1983 (Series 2)

Cast
Bryan Archer - Richard Beckinsale/Robert Lindsay
Mum/Albert - Pat Coombs
Dad - John Comer
Vernon Wordsworth - Frank Thornton
Anna Jameson - Sharon Duce
Alice - Anne Cunningham
The Magistrate/Dave/Mr Graham - Douglas Blackwell
Joe Billings/Fred - Harry Fowler
Mr Benson - John Arnatt
Sandra - Karin MacCarthy
Rex - Terence Alexander
Mrs Warburton - Jan Holden
Labour Exchange official - Milton Johns
Stephanie - Madeline Smith
Harry Ponder - John Junkin
Mr Simpson - Reginald Marsh
Linda - Joanna David
Nursery nurse - Heather Bell
Mr Wiggins - Peter Vaughan
Mavis - Cheryl Hall
Deirdre - Helen Worth
Jane - Diane Keen
Edward - Jon Laurimore
Welfare lady/Mrs Featherstone-Haugh/Mrs Hagger - Dilys Laye
Benefit official - Robin Parkinson
Uncle Eric - Michael Robbins
Mr Smith - David Ryall
Bank manager/Mr Benson - John Arnatt
Nurse - Penelope Reynolds
Police Sergeant - Robert Gillespie
Rose - Diana Berriman
Gran - Patricia Hayes
Maureen - Celia Bannerman
Store assistant - Kenneth Shanley
Mrs Willis - Diana King
Ron - Larry Martyn
Mary - Rosalind Adams
Mr Tibbies/Arnold - Roland MacLeod
Vera - Marcia Warren
Edward - Gorden Kaye
Joe - Ron Pember
Job Centre Clerk - David Graham
Vikkie - Sherrie Hewson
Mrs Weston - Frances Jeater
Amateur Photographer - John Tordoff
Terry - Derek Martin
Alison - Deidre Costello
Charlie - Peter Cleall
Andy - John Kane
Mr Charlesworth - Bernard Gallagher
Mrs Charlesworth - Lynda Baron
Sandra/Doreen - Wendy Murray
Lady Samantha - Sarah Berger
Vicar - Michael Bilton
Jenny - Brenda Blethyn
GP - Renu Setna
Nurse - Tammy Ustinov