Audiobooks by Jim Eldridge

Albert and Me: The Complete Series 1 & 2: A BBC Radio comedy drama

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

Jim Eldridge (Author), Brenda Blethyn, Full Cast, Milton Johns, Pat Coombs, Richard Beckinsale, Robert Lindsay, Sharon Duce (Narrator)

Audiobook

Coming Alive: The Complete Series 1-3: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy drama

Karl Howman stars in Jim Eldridge's sitcom about a likeable ex-convict trying to turn over a new leaf Released from prison early, chirpy Cockney conman Terry King is given a chance to find his feet again. His challenge is to breathe new life into a run-down community centre - with the support of Sandra Gaines, a social worker with a warm heart but an unhappy past. If he succeeds, he'll prove that rehabilitation is possible. But if he fails, he'll be sent back to jail... Situated in the middle of a rough council estate, Grove Hill Farm needs a lot of work. The windows are broken, the plumbing's out of action and part of the centre was burned down during a riot. But it's not just the buildings that could use some TLC - the community's pride needs restoring too. Can Terry get the locals to come together and make the centre a neighbourhood hub again? He's got big plans - concerts, dances, bingo - but first he must raise the funds, and win over the residents... As he uses his charm and his con artist skills to start turning the place around, he finds himself growing closer to Sandra, and love slowly blossoms between the two of them. But will Terry be able to stay out of trouble - and out of prison? And as the end of his sentence approaches, will he and Sandra finally get together? Created by Jim Eldridge, whose numerous radio credits include King Street Junior and Albert & Me, this feel-good comedy drama stars Karl Howman (Brush Strokes, EastEnders) as Terry and Phyllis Logan (Lovejoy, Downton Abbey) as Sandra. Production credits Written by Jim Eldridge Directed by Marilyn Imrie and David Hitchinson Music: Jacqueline Dankworth and Harvey Brough First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 January-2 March 1999 (Series 1), 26 July-30 August 2000 (Series 2), 12 October-16 November 2001 (Series 3) Cast Terry King - Karl Howman Sandra Gaines - Phyllis Logan Steve Addison - Ben Crowe Mr Wade/Harry Howard/Bert Higgs/Mr Addison - Geoffrey Whitehead Mr Preston - David Holt George - Chris Pavlo Whizzer/Sam Stone/Police officer/Don Gaines - Giles Fagan Hobb/Ed Bayliss - Harry Myers Ellie Higgs - Priyanga Elan Woman on the estate - Frances Jeater Supt. Anne Robinson - Rachel Atkins Gail Gaines - Victoria O'Donnell/Jennifer Wheelan Mrs Watson - Ann Beach Mrs Barnes - Jillie Meers Mick/Mr Evans - Gavin Muir Keith/Jerry - David Thorpe Annie - Alison Pettitt Mavis - Tilly Vosburgh Warren/Scaggs - Clinton Mullings-Dodson Mrs Wilson - Maggie McCarthy Ernie/Mr Marsden - Roger Walker Miss Graham/Mrs Baxter - Richenda Carey Marlene - Hetty Baynes Andrew - Tom George Pianist at concert - Peter Ringrose Mrs McKendrick - Sandra Voe Drunk man/Barman - Ewan Bailey Netball player - Helen Longworth Girl at club - Sarah Paul Matt - Ray Lonnen David - Sean Baker Wendy Wilson - Clare Corbett Matthew - George Allonby Mary - Elaine Claxton Mrs Barnes/Pauline - Carolyn Pickles Wally - Carl Prekopp ©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jim Eldridge (Author), Full Cast, Karl Howman, Phyliss Logan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Down Payment on Death: BBC Radio drama thriller

Dinsdale Landen stars in this gripping vintage 1970-'s crime drama about a retired hitman tempted by one last job Sick of the spying business, professional assassin Art Gordo decides to quit the Secret Service - but his old life won't leave him alone. It's Christmas, three months after his retirement, and Gordo is visited by an old colleague with a proposition. A senior MI7 agent has been selling secrets to the opposition and needs to be eliminated - and the job can't be traced back to the Department. What's more, the task must be completed within the next five days. Clarke's offering big money - but despite the temptation, Art turns him down. Only someone won't take 'no' for an answer. Hunted by a mysterious nemesis who'll stop at nothing - including murder - to get their way, Gordo finds himself caught in a deadly game of deception, double-cross and betrayal. To stay alive, he must find out the truth about his shadowy target, and re-enter a world he thought he'd left behind. A world with only one rule: kill or be killed... Originally produced in the 1970's, this twisty, fast-moving suspense thriller stars Dinsdale Landen as Art Gordo and Frances Jeater as Louise. Production credits Adapted from his own novel by Jim Eldridge Produced by John Fawcett Wilson Cast Art Gordo - Dinsdale Landen Clarke - Manning Wilson Louise Lenehan - Frances Jeater Ben/Roberts/Man on phone - Jon Croft Joe/Ferguson - Peter Craze Charles Allweather - Glyn Owen Paul Le Clerk - Donald Gee Sally Le Clerk - Joanna Wake Leon Young - Basil Henson Francis/Forbes - Douglas Blackwell Parsons - Terrence Hardiman Hotel porter - Frank Coda First broadcast on BBC World Service, 3-31 May 1976 ? 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jim Eldridge (Author), Dinsdale Landen, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Glyn Owen, Jon Croft, Manning Wilson, Peter Craze (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hunk and Thud: Wrestling Trolls: Match Two

Jack is doing fantastically well as the Wrestling Trolls training coach, Big Rock is winning matches, and the group are on their way to more gold than they can count. Nothing ever goes smoothly for Jack though, especially after Milo is kidnapped by evil goblins determined to get their greedy hands on Big Rock's winnings! The wrestling crew know that they will have to be very quick and clever if they want to rescue Milo.

Jim Eldridge (Author), Gareth Bennett-Ryan (Narrator)

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King Street Junior Revisited: A BBC Radio 4 comedy

All four series of the popular follow-up to King Street Junior King Street Junior and its sequel, King Street Junior Revisited, ran for 20 years and 100 episodes between 1985 and 2005, and were among the BBC's most successful and popular radio programmes. In these four series, we return to the inner-city primary in the new millennium. A different Head is in charge, but the challenges remain the same: from planning a big fundraising concert, to searching for a truant, to coping with wintry weather and a disappearing lollipop lady. In addition, the teachers contend with personal and professional upheavals as Mr Maxwell's attempts to maintain playground order land him in trouble, Mr Long suffers a painful little problem, Miss Featherstone is arrested - and a surprise awaits the staff as they return from their summer holidays. But King Street Junior continues to survive and thrive, and as the series draws to a close, the children and teachers prepare to celebrate the centenary of the school's foundation. Written by the award-winning Jim Eldridge, this acclaimed sitcom stars Carolyn Pickles as Mrs Devon, Marlene Sidaway as Miss Lewis and Brigit Forsyth as Mrs Eastwood, with a guest appearance from James Grout as Mr Beeston. Created and written by Jim Eldridge Produced by John Fawcett Wilson

Jim Eldridge (Author), Brigit Forsyth, Carolyn Pickles, Full Cast, James Grout, Marlene Sidaway (Narrator)

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King Street Junior: A BBC Radio 4 comedy

All ten series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy drama set in a small junior school 'The Sistine Chapel of radio drama'' - The Times Running for ten series between 1985 and 1988 (with a sequel, King Street Junior Revisited, airing from 2002-2005), this hugely popular school-based sitcom was one of the BBC's most successful radio programmes. Created by award-winning writer Jim Eldridge, it follows the headmaster and staff of an inner-city primary as they deal with unruly pupils, problem parents, school governors and OFSTED inspectors. From Parents' Evening to the PTA, and from supply teachers to staff room squabbles, every day brings fresh challenges for headmaster Mr Beeston. Among the problems facing him are a flu epidemic, a shortage of computers, a phantom prune thief and a mysterious graffiti artist - and there's trouble in store when in comes to sex education, school trips and Sports Day. Meanwhile, idealistic newcomers Mr Brown and Mr Sims learn some lessons about teaching, and their battle-scarred colleagues vie for promotion - or look forward to retirement. And as each new term rolls around at King Street Junior, they all prepare to shape the minds of a brand new generation... Peter Davison stars as Eric Brown, Karl Howman as Philip Sims and James Grout as Mr Beeston, with guest stars including John Craven and Michaela Strachan as themselves. Created by Jim Eldridge Written by Jim Eldridge, Paul Copley, Richard Stoneman, Ivan Shakespeare, Dave Single and Martin Davies Produced by John Fawcett Wilson Violinist: Sarah Hallam Pianist: Max Harris

Jim Eldridge (Author), Full Cast, Peter Davison (Narrator)

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Murder at Claridge's

One of the Claridge's kitchen porters is found dead - strangled. He was a recent employee who claimed to be Romanian, but evidence suggests he may have been German. Detective Chief Inspector Coburg has to find out exactly who he was, and what he was doing at Claridge's under a false identity. Once he has established those facts, he might get an insight into why he was killed, and who by. Coburg's job is complicated by the fact that so many of the hotel's residents are exiled European royalty. King George of Greece is registered as 'Mr Brown' and even the Duke of Windsor is staying, though without Wallis Simpson. Clandestine affairs, furtive goings-on and conspiracies against the government: Coburg must tread very lightly indeed.

Jim Eldridge (Author), David Thorpe (Narrator)

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Murder at Madame Tussauds

London, 1896. Madame Tussauds opens to find one of its nightwatchmen decapitated and his colleague nowhere to be found. To the police, the case seems simple: one killed the other and fled, but workers at the museum aren't convinced. Although forbidden contact by his superior officer, Scotland Yard detective John Feather secretly enlists 'The Museum Detectives' Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton to aid the police investigation. When the body of the missing nightwatchman is discovered encased within a wax figure, the case suddenly becomes more complex. With questions over rival museums, the dead men's pasts and a series of bank raids plaguing the city, Wilson and Fenton face their most intriguing and dangerous case yet.

Jim Eldridge (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

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Murder at the Ashmolean

1895. A senior executive at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is found in his office with a bullet hole between his eyes, a pistol discarded close by. The death has officially been ruled as suicide by local police, but with an apparent lack of motive for such action, the museum's administrator Gladstone Marriott suspects foul play. With his cast-iron reputation for shrewdness, private enquiry agent Daniel Wilson is a natural choice to discreetly explore the situation, ably assisted by his partner, archaeologist-cum-detective Abigail Fenton. Yet with rumours of political ructions from South Africa, mislaid artefacts and a lost Shakespeare play, Wilson and Fenton soon find themselves tangled in bureaucracy.

Jim Eldridge (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

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Murder at the British Museum

1894. A well-respected academic is found dead in a gentlemen's convenience cubicle at the British Museum, the stall locked from the inside. Professor Lance Pickering had been due to give a talk promoting the museum's new 'Age of King Arthur' exhibition when he was stabbed repeatedly in the chest. Having forged a strong reputation working alongside the inimitable Inspector Abberline on the Jack the Ripper case, Daniel Wilson is called in to solve the mystery, and he brings his expertise and archaeologist Abigail Fenton with him.

Jim Eldridge (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

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Murder at the Fitzwilliam

After rising to prominence for his role investigating the case of Jack the Ripper, former Detective Inspector Daniel Wilson is now retired. Known for his intelligence, investigative skills, and most of all his discretion, he's often consulted when a case must be solved quickly and quietly. So when a body is found in the Egyptian collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Wilson is called in. As he tries to uncover the identity of the dead man and the circumstances surrounding his demise, Wilson must contend with an unhelpful police inspector and Abigail Fenton, the archaeologist who discovered the body and is determined to protect the Egyptian collection. Can they find a way to work together to solve the mystery?

Jim Eldridge (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

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Murder at the Manchester Museum

1895. Former Scotland Yard detective Daniel Wilson, made famous from his days working the Jack the Ripper case, and his archaeologist sidekick Abigail Fenton are summoned to investigate the murder of a young woman at the Manchester Museum. Though staff remember the woman as a recent and regular visitor, no one appears to know who she is and she has no possessions from which identify her. Seeking help from a local journalist, Daniel hopes to unravel this mystery, but the journey to the truth is fraught with obstacles...

Jim Eldridge (Author), Gordon Griffin (Narrator)

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