#4.7 A Star Is Gorn

When Arthur comes into the possession of pop star Zac Zolar's final recordings before his reported death, he thinks he is quids in, especially as Zolar is currently climbing the charts. Zolar's ex-manager, Cyril Ash also sees a nice little earner with the tapes and finds out that Arthur has them and tracks him down. When Ash's minder discovers Zolar is still alive, Ash tries to persuade Zolar (who now calls himself Alan Trent) to come back and threatens to kill Zolar if he refuses telling him that no one would miss him as he is already thought to be dead. When Trent's partner offers Arthur a reward for getting Alan back, Arthur & Terry help out.

Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Mel Smith as Cyril Ash, Primi Townsend as Sharon, Charles Kay as John Sutton, Peter Childs as Rycott, Michael Troughton as DC (Tom) Melish, Michael Holoway as Zac Zolar/Albert Trout/Alan Trent, Jackie Smith-Wood as Jessica Trent, Billy Hamon as Lindsay Browne, Michael Deeks as Billy Cronin, Pearl Hackney as Maude Trout, Michael Wynne as Freddy King, Tim Healy as George, Carrie Jones as Sarah

Facts: Arthur refers to Rycott as 'Ronnie Rycott' in this episode, despite him being referred to as Kenny in #3.12 Back In Good Old England. This is the first time we see Michael Troughton appear as Rycott's sidekick, DC Tom Melish, his first name mentioned only once in the entire series by DC Jones in #7.1 It's A Sorry Lorry Morrie. Michael Holoway (pictured here) who plays Zac Zolar had previously been a drummer and singer in the 1970s band 'Flintlock' who had a top 30 hit in the 1970s called 'Dawn' - the video is available on YouTube. Tim Healy is probably more recognisable as Dennis in 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet'.

The Zac Zolar tune that is playing throughout this episode is a library track by Electra Stuart & Alan Waller called 'Take Me Home' - this also features in #3.13 In where it is playing in a pub. More details on our Minder Incidental Music page.

Filming Dates: Monday 12th September 1983 to Friday 23rd Sep 1983 (confirmed).

Title: A reference to either of the two films from 1954 and 1976 'A Star Is Born'.

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