Slow Bus to Chingford Episode Review
Brief: Del has a dream: The Trotter corporate skyscraper, rising majestically against the Peckham Skyline. With Rodneys night job and use of an open-topped bus, it’s time for the latest moneymaking scam, Trotter’s Ethnic Tours… Some how it looks like it might not catch on.
Transmitted: 6.10.1981
Duration: 30 minutes
Viewing Figures: 7 million
The trouble starts when Del persuades the local bus company to hand over one of their open-top buses in exchange for Rodney working as a Trainee Nocturnal Security Officer – part of their latest company, Trotter Watch.
As part of the deal, Rodney has to suffer the nerve-jangling experience of patrolling the bus station on Tyler Street throughout the night.
The next part of Del’s scheme is the launch of Trotters’ Ethnic Tours: a scenic tour around Chingford and Croydon, taking in such ethnic sights as the Lee Valley Viaduct. And despite a great deal of whinging from his family, Del persuades Rodney to drive the bus, whilst Grandad agrees to distribute the publicity leaflets.
But when nobody turns up to the launch of Trotters’ Ethnic Tours, it is revealed that Grandad shares the legendary Trotter business acumen and has posted the advertising leaflets through the dust chute of Mandela House.
Check out our previous revisits:
Big Brother Revisit on https://youtu.be/5MceMADo1Eo
Go West Young Man Revisit on https://youtu.be/QmAHBZxrsDc
Cash & Curry Revisit on https://youtu.be/D6hSXnAbee4
Did You Know?
According to John Sullivan, he got the idea for the script of A Slow Bus to Chingford from his dad’s favourite pub “The Duke of Devonshire”. The guy who ran it was called “Boycie”. The place was a dive but the guy explained it was “Ethnic English” thus the idea was implanted in Sullivan’s mind. The bus used in A Slow Bus to Chingford has recently been re-registered and is still on the road and still working for a living Rumor has it that Gaynor Ward who played Janice was Nicholas Lyndhurst’s girlfriend at the time of filming. So where is Janice today? Gaynor Ward who played a part in Grange Hill and Tomorrows People has retired from acting.
TOUGH TRIVIA QUESTION
What colour was the Ethnic Tour Leaflet in A Slow Bus to Chingford ? Yellow Pink or White
Episode Observations
- In A Slow Bus to Chingford del says “brig” instead of “big” when he says about Rodney getting a job.
- In A Slow Bus to Chingford At the beginning, Delboy knows what the statue is he is holding in his hand, but at the end he doesn’t.
- In A Slow Bus to Chingford when Del wakes up Rodney at ten to nine in the morning, Rodney walks out of Grandads bedroom.
- In A Slow Bus to Chingford When Granddad is counting up his winnings it appears to be dubbed at the end.
Slow Bus to Chingford Script
The script will be downloadable from here
A Slow Bus to Chingford Locations include:
- Ridley Avenue, London is where the majority of the bus scene is shot for A Slow Bus to Chingford
- The depot where Rodney works as a Night Watchman (Nissan Car Showroom, Stamford Hill, London)
- Where the bus was parked, Beaumaris Tower, Acton, London
- Spot the windows to the left, Ridley Avenue, London
- A Slow bus to Chingford Location of leaflets in dust chute, Beaumaris Tower, Acton, London
Original Tune
The original tune for the opening series one was very different from the now well-known tune currently used.
In the real world
The area used outside for the waiting of the crowd to take the bus tour.
Reality:
Ridley Avenue W13 as featured in the episode
“Slow Bus to Chingford”.
“Slow Bus to Chingford”.
Much debate on the lampost, in 2006 it seems we have found the correct area but the lampost is changed – shameSlow Bus to Chingford on location
This is the area where Del leans his board against a lampost used in Slow Bus to Chingford. It is found on Ridley Avenue, Northfields, London. Disappointedly the lampost has since been replaced.
Gaynor Ward….. absolutley gorgeous
I reckon Rodney and Janice could have been a good item together. It’s a shame she was not scripted in future series 1 episodes.
Apparently, there is an old VHS tape out there that still contains the Original instrumental theme tune at the beginning and end credits of EVERY episode of series one (all 7 episodes) and the new theme tune hasn’t been dubbed over it.
Does anybody know what is that particular video?
Does anyone have any details regarding this video and could please let me know and maybe even show a photograph or write a description of the front cover.
I desperately want to know what video release it was!
Many thanks :)
Bonjour,
Roy!
Does anybody know where I can get an actual leaflet trotters ethnic tours that grandad through down the Shute I have purchased a signed pic of del with a copy of the leaflet from the fan club but perry recons if there was one available it would be £1000s ?
I’ve always been surprised that Del had a bet with Grandad for £50. I’m even more surprised that he paid up as I’ve just calculated the amount and today’s equivalent would be £187.37!!
Janice was gorgeous – I collect only fools and horses autographs from the people that were in it – and I cannot get hers, because the real-life actress has retired from acting.
I always wonder how many people would of showed up for the tour had Grandad delivered the leaflets properly. I reckon it might of done well.
Does anyone know why Chingford is refered to twice in this episode (in the title, and in the script)?
Just interested as I live right near it.