Miracle of Peckham Episode Review
Brief: Delboy gets religion (or is he just on the make?) when the Madonna at the local church is seen to shed tears. But Father O’Keith wants to know why does she only cry when it’s raining and where did that lead in Del’s garage come from? Finally, how will Rodney explain the state of Biffos trumpet?
Transmitted: 07.09.1986
Duration: 30 minutes
Viewing Figures: 14.2 million
Feeling guilty about his dodgy lifestyle, Del has a rare religious urge and heads to the confession booth of his local Catholic church to speak with Father O’Keith.
Whilst chatting with Father O’Keith, Del discovers that the local hospice, St Mary’s, requires a £185,000 renovation or it will soon close. And as Derek and Rodney’s mother and grandad were both cared for there, the older Trotter takes the charitable cause to his heart.
After his confession, Del is about to put some money into the Collection box when Father O’Keith cries out that the statue of the Virgin Mary is weeping holy tears.
Within a couple of seconds, Del has persuaded the priest that this miracle needs publicising – something that could go a long way towards raising funds for St Mary’s renovations. Father O’Keith reluctantly agrees, and Del gets Rodney to alert the national press.
As press arrives from all over the world, Del helps Father O’Keith collect the contributions from all those who wish to witness the miracle of the weeping virgin. It’s only when the priest notices rain dripping from the roof of the church that Del Boy’s elaborate hoax is exposed.
Episode Observations
- In The Miracle of Peckham, it’s based on a mentioned subject in “The Second Time Around”, there granddad is saying how Del used to donate to the church roof fund … etc .. O’Sullivan goes and bases a whole episode on the same idea a few years later.
- In The Miracle of Peckham, When Rodneys in the bins looking for Biffo’s trumpet. He exclaims “I don’t believe it” with a clear dub at the end.
- In The Miracle of Peckham, before Rodney puts aftershave over Albert’s breakfast Del had entered already having closed the door to the hall, yet a minute or two later he is seen at his drinks cabinet and the door is mysteriously open.
- In The Miracle of Peckham, The band player (Biffo) that Rodney stole the trumpet from is Arthur the sailor from Blackadder II episode ‘Money’ Kaiser
Miracle of Peckham Script
The script will be downloadable from here
This might sound a Little bit silly and unnecessary and not important but in this episode Rodney Looks behind the bar in the flat and says “It’s gone” and Albert replies “What has?” and Rodney then replies “His Cliff Richard cassette”.
In another Later episode, when Del is in the pub, he is talking about something and he refers to Cliff Richard as someone who has a face you wanna slap.
If he don’t Like Cliff Richard, why does he have a cassette of his ??
This sounds very silly and petty I know, but it is something that is quite an interesting observation.
I think certain lines were cut due to time restrictions – as John Sullivan had a tendency to write really long scripts – which resulted in lines being cut, and dialogue being edited.
Hi Rob.. I have uploaded the clip of Rodney sniffing the Kipper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP8fDm0aH2k
Cheers Lee, I watched it, many thanks for uploading mate…. I had never seen that scene!
it’s a crime that scene was cut – no need for it
I have the rest of the episode too, but it’s far too big to email.
Thanks for uploading it Lee
I agree Rob – no need! thanks for taking the time to email it Dan, appreciate it!
Thanks Lee also I have not seen that version before its slightly longer.
Is it true that original series 5 broadcasts were 35 mins long? The dvds are 30
The other cut bit was when Rodney asks Del where he’s going at the breakfast table for a second time as he thinks Del’s joking at first. Don’t understand that cut either.
Yeah Dan, that would be awesome mate, if you could somehow upload the clip….. please do
I was just wondering.
does anybody know – that when this episode was 1st broadcast (for the very first time) did it contain the kipper sniffing scene? where Rodney is in the trash, the slop falls, he picks up Albert’s kipper and sniffs it?
because I don’t recall ever seeing this scene, even when it was 1st broadcast.
was it 1 of those scenes that was recorded, but never made the final cut?
Hello Rob, I remember this bit, Rodney picks up the killer and sniffs it, then nods and says “Albert”. My recording had this bit, don’t think I have it anymore though.
Cheers mate.
Never understood why that scene was cut, all Rodney did was sniff a kipper, why edit that?…. it’s not like he used a swear word or mentioned someones racial background.
for the life of me…… some of these cuts absolutley baffle me, just confused by them. lol
I’ve actually got the clip/episode, I could potentially upload that bit if I had a clue how to do it!
Hi Dan, Me and many OFAH fans I’m sure would be extremely grateful if you could find a way to upload the episode. I have never seen the clip before!
Dan, whats your email mate? I may have a way round it..
danielsmith7@yahoo.co.uk
I obviously meant kipper!!
Hello There Danboy could you tell me if this is on the old vhs tape or if not can you do me a copy of it mate please
cheers George
Please let me know what Church that was that they filmed in??
Hi all, I’ve an interesting (to some, possibly) bit of trivia.
The scene in which Rodney sprinkles Albert’s kipper with aftershave was done without telling Buster Merryfield, thus his reaction afterwards was genuine. Reportedly, he was ‘irritated’ by this.
Yes thats true – I read that aswell.
apparently it did irratate Buster, none of the cast or crew told him about it – so they could record Buster’s genuine reaction on film.