#8.1 The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Entrepreneur

Arthur is shocked to learn that Terry has moved out of his flat for good, got married and gone to live in Australia. With Terry gone, Arthur is now under threat from a local protection firm and is in desperate need of a new Minder. To add to his problems, Arthur is troubled at the thought that the imported car that he has just sold DS Morley isn't all it is made out to be. Arthur enlists the help of his young nephew Ray.

Cast: Glynn Edwards as Dave, Nicholas Day as DS Morley, Stephen Tompkinson as DC Park, Vania Vilers as Pierre, Lill Roughley as Doreen Daley, Sidney Livingstone as Bert Daley, Allie Byrne as Lucy, Roberta Taylor as Pat Norris (Terry's mother-in-law), Raymond Brody as Morry, Albie Woodington as Ginger Blythe, Tim Parker as Wilf, Phillipe Smolikowski as Anton

Facts: In this episode we learn that Ray understands a considerable amount of French and we also first meet Arthur's brother Bert and his wife Doreen. We are also introduced to the character of Morry and his daughter Lucy, both of whom reappear in #8.4 Three Cons Make A Mountain, an episode also written by David A.Yallop. A few links exist between this episode and the final episode of The Terry McCann Years, again both episodes written by David A. Yallop - these include mention of Arthur's Yorkshire contact Billy, who in #7.6 The Wrong Goodbye is from Leeds and in this episode is now from Bradford. Billy from Bradford would later appear in person in #8.3 Whatever Happened to Her Indoors and #8.7 A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In Shepherd's Bush.

Another link to series seven is that Arthur's series 8 car lot location is still the same on The Vale in Acton.

Detective Sergeant Morley's character was not originally intended to be played on screen by Nicholas Day. He was brought in as a last minute replacement having to reshoot certain scenes. The original actor who played Morley remains unknown and it is believed that Morley's character was originally intended to be called DS Stuart Felix.

Double Take: Sidney Livingstone who plays Arthur's brother Bert Daley, previously appeared as casino bouncer George in #2.3 You Lose Some, You Win Some. He would reappear in a further 7 episodes (total of 8) as Arthur's younger brother between series 8 and 10. Lill Roughley, who plays Ray's mum Doreen would reappear in a further 5 episodes (total of 6) between series 8 and 10.

Bloopers: Watch closely as Ray is in Brussels, the actor walking at the station is clearly not Gary Webster.

Title: 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' - a short story written by Alan Sillitoe about a teenager who turns to long distance running as a method of escaping the few prospects he has in Nottingham. The story was made into a film in 1962 and starred Tom Courtenay.

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