The Beiderbecke Affair

Now ITVX is a working streaming service you should use it by going back to 1985 to watch The Beiderbecke Affair, written by Alan Plater starring James Bolam (The Likely Lads), Barbara Flynn (A Family at War) and Leeds (best city in the world). United are briefly represented by a Peacock logo mug in the opening credits, and by Bolam’s flummoxed teacher, Trevor, claiming his right to referee a cub scouts’ semi-final. “I’m from the north-east,” he protests, “The birthplace of the Charlton brothers, Raich Carter, Jackie Milburn.” He can never quite escape his accent, even as Leeds alliances form. There’s nothing wrong with Geordies, says Big Al, “Except they’re not Yorkshire.” Little Norm sticks up for Trev. “It in’t like he’s from London.”

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