Dates

Del attempts to meet his dream woman at a dating agency after seeing Trigger have some success. Meanwhile, Uncle Albert is dropping heavy hints about his impending birthday...

In-Depth Episode Synopsis

Warning: the below synopsis may contain spoilers

Uncle Albert's hints about his forthcoming birthday have been coming thick and fast but Del and Rodney try to pretend they haven't noticed - while secretly arranging a surprise party in the Nag's Head.

Del has been surprised by how successful Trigger has been at a dating agency and decides that he will give it a try as well. He registers under the name Derek Duvale and soon meets up with his first date, an actress called Raquel, who he treats to a steak lunch at the Hilton. They hit it off straight away and it looks like love is in the air.

Even Rodney seems to be having some success as he has persuaded barmaid 'Nervous Nerys' to go out on a date with him - despite Jevon and Mickey Pearce getting nowhere with her because they weren't macho enough for her.

But, as usual, everything is not as it seems and all three are in for a big surprise as their bubble is about to be burst one more time.

First Broadcast Details

Date:
Sun 25th December 1988
Time:
5:05pm
Channel:
BBC One
Ratings:
16.6 million viewers
Length:
80 minutes

Main Repeats (Since 2009)

Note: Any repeats of this episode broadcast before 2009 are not shown
  • Fri 27th May 2011 (10:00pm, GOLD)
  • Sat 28th May 2011 (9:00pm, GOLD)
  • Sun 24th July 2011 (3:35pm, GOLD)
  • Sun 24th July 2011 (8:15pm, GOLD)
  • Sat 27th August 2011 (11:05am, GOLD)
  • Sat 27th August 2011 (3:30pm, GOLD)
  • Tue 13th September 2011 (10:00pm, GOLD)
  • Wed 14th September 2011 (7:00pm, GOLD)
  • Sun 4th December 2011 (10:45am, GOLD)
  • Sun 4th December 2011 (6:20pm, GOLD)
  • Mon 26th December 2011 (1:15pm, GOLD)
  • Sat 11th February 2012 (12:00pm, GOLD)
  • Sat 11th February 2012 (7:40pm, GOLD)
  • Mon 27th February 2012 (2:20pm, GOLD)
  • Mon 27th February 2012 (10:00pm, GOLD)
  • Sun 1st April 2012 (10:30am, GOLD)
  • Sat 5th May 2012 (11:25am, GOLD)

Episode Cast & Crew

Regular Cast
David Jason ... Del
Nicholas Lyndhurst ... Rodney
Buster Merryfield ... Uncle Albert
Tessa Peake-Jones ... Raquel
Roger Lloyd-Pack ... Trigger
John Challis ... Boycie
Sue Holderness ... Marlene
Kenneth MacDonald ... Mike
Patrick Murray ... Mickey Pearce
Guest Cast
Andree Bernard ... Nervous Nerys
Steven Woodcock ... Jevon
Roy Heather ... Sid
Tony Marshall ... Chris
Christopher Stanton ... Technomatch agent
Jean Warren ... Sonia
Nicholas Courtney ... Charles
Paul Beringer ... Policeman
Margaret Norris ... Policewoman
Martin Cochrane ... Naval officer
Jean Challis ... Mrs Sansom
Writing Team
John Sullivan ... Writer
Production Team
Tony Dow ... Director
Gareth Gwenlan ... Producer
Graham Lough ... Production Design
John Jarvis ... Editor
Chris Wadsworth ... Editor
John Sullivan ... Composer