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 17 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, this sitcom 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, 5th January 1977 (Pilot), 5th November - 24th December 1977 (Series 1), 16th March - 4th 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