British Comedy Guide
Eyes Down. Ray (Paul O'Grady)
Eyes Down

Eyes Down

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 2003 - 2004
  • 15 episodes (2 series)

Sitcom set in Liverpool's Rio bingo hall, run by bad tempered Ray and his hapless staff. Stars Paul O'Grady, Rosie Cavaliero, Sheridan Smith, Neil Fitzmaurice, Edna Doré and more.

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Eyes Down. Image shows from L to R: Bobby (Neil Fitzmaurice), Christine (Rosie Cavaliero), Ray (Paul O'Grady), Mary (Edna Doré), Martin (Tony Maudsley), Sandy (Sheridan Smith)

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
2003 - 2004
Channel
BBC One
Episodes
15 (2 series)
Stars
Paul O'Grady, Rosie Cavaliero, Sheridan Smith, Neil Fitzmaurice, Edna Doré, Tony Maudsley, Hazel Douglas, Margaret John and more
Writers
Angela Clarke and Michael Wynne
Director
Christine Gernon
Producers
Rosemary McGowan and Sophie Clarke-Jervoise
Company

Two fat ladies, 88; all the fours, 44; two little ducks, 22 - it's Eyes Down in this sitcom about the lives, loves, hopes and disappointments of the staff and punters at The Rio, a Liverpool bingo palace.

Paul O'Grady is Ray, the ill-tempered and somewhat pompous bingo caller and manager, who presides over a motley staff:

On catering, there's Christine, whose Chihuahua compensates for her unfortunate love-life.

But Christine is blind to the devotion she arouses in floor man Martin, a mother's boy whose life is a world away from that of dandy mechanic and ladies' man Bobby, Ray's bête noire.

There's also Sandy; young, pregnant and not too bright, she works with Martin on the floor and has a boyfriend, Terry.

Mary, the elderly cleaner, is an endless source of bizarre anecdotes and skewed wisdom. She's not exactly bright, but far wilier than she looks.

Completing the line-up are a group of batty and highly superstitious regular players: Kitty, Kay and Kathline.

Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Music composed by Simon Brint.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 15th August 2003 at 9pm on BBC One

Recording details

  • BBC Television Centre

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