Season 2 • Episode 10
LatestMarket trader Pete Johnson deals in stolen goods, gives his young son Mike an early Christmas present, an electric racing game, but it's faulty and blows up, hospitalising the boy. Pete initially lies to hospital staff over the cause of his son's injuries but eventually produces a replacement, which indicates the game is manufactured by the Wings' toy company. However, Mr Wing informs Eddie that it was withdrawn because of the fault and stored in the warehouse. On examination, it's found that ten copies have been stolen. Eddie must track them down to ensure a merry Christmas.
Shoestring is a BBC detective drana set in Bristol and starring Trevor Eve as private detective Eddie Shoestring, who operatee his own show on Radio West, the local radio station. The programme ran between 30 September 1979 and 21 December 1980, in two series with 21 hour-long episodes. Eve opted not to return after two series, as he wanted to diversify into theatre, so the production team changed the setting to Jersey and created Bergerac, also following a detective returning to work after a bad period in his life.
Acting
Trevor Eve's chaotic charisma carries every scene.
Writing
Radio West gimmick is genuinely brilliant premise.
Production
Bristol locations oozing with unglamorous authenticity.
Creators
Robert Banks Stewart, Richard Harris
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Trevor Eve demanded to leave after two series specifically for theatre, forcing creators to invent Bergerac—literally the same premise, different island.
Radio West was a real Bristol station that launched in 1981—Shoestring predicted its existence by two years, making Eddie possibly the most influential fake DJ in British history.
GB
