Rock & Chips – Five Gold Rings
BBC ONE
Christmas 2010 Season
Celebrate Christmas with the Trotters as South London's most famous family return for a seasonal helping of Rock & Chips in this hour-long comedy drama special from the pen of John Sullivan.
Starring Nicholas Lyndhurst as Freddie, Kellie Bright as Joan and James Buckley as Del, Rock & Chips picks up the Trotter story after the birth of baby Rodney in 1960 and follows the fortunes of the family as Del progresses to manhood. Phil Daniels returns as Grandad, Shaun Dingwall is back as work-shy Reg Trotter, Robert Daws reprises his role as Joan Trotter's sleazy manager and there are some new faces including Paula Wilcox as Reg's mother, Violet, Mel Smith as Freddie's nemesis, DI Thomas, and Kacey Ainsworth as Del's prospective mother-in-law.
"I'm delighted that Del's winkle-pickers and bomber jacket are back for a Christmas special on BBC One," says John Sullivan. "The first Rock & Chips was a great popular success for the channel and there are plenty more twists and turns in the Trotter family history for us to explore before we're finished."
It's Christmas 1960 and the Trotters are settling into their new flat in Sir Walter Raleigh House, Peckham. Rodney is a babe in arms, Reg is still drawing the dole and hard-working Joan is struggling to keep the family afloat after losing her jobs at the town hall and the cinema. A 16-year-old Del has left school and is exploring employment opportunities around the docks – including a nice line in selling 45s straight off the back of a boat from America – and Freddie Robdal has been temporarily detained in Wormwood Scrubs at Her Majesty's pleasure.
Joan's fortunes start to look up when she gets her old job back as the ice-cream girl at the local cinema. Freddie is released on bail but will a chance meeting with Joan rekindle dangerous old passions? And will Freddie be able to stay out of prison long enough to get to know baby Rodney?
Meanwhile Del, who has been advised that slipping an engagement ring on a girl's finger can open up a whole new world of lustful opportunity, has managed to get himself engaged to half of Peckham. But will any of his engagements lead to a trip up the aisle
