Last of the Summer Wine (series 8)

Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine Series 7 & 8 DVD
No. of episodes	7
Release
Original network	BBC1
Original release	30 December 1984 (1984-12-30) – 17 March 1985 (1985-03-17)
Season chronology

Last of the Summer Wine's eighth series originally aired on BBC1 between 30 December 1984 and 17 March 1985. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.

The eighth series was released on DVD in region 2 as a combined box set with series 7 on 3 March 2008.

Outline

The trio in this series consisted of:

Actor	Role
Bill Owen	Compo
Peter Sallis	Clegg
Brian Wilde	Foggy

First appearances

• Crusher (1984–1987)
• Howard Sibshaw (1985–2010)
• Pearl Sibshaw (1985–2010)
• Marina (1985–2010)

Returning this series

• Wesley Pegden (1982, 1984–2002)

Last appearances

• Foggy Dewhurst (1976–1985, 1990–1997)

List of episodes

Christmas Special (1984)

Title	Airdate	Description	Notes
The Loxely Lozenge	30 December	Wesley needs some help. He's found an old, but extremely valuable racing car, and wants the lads to help him get it home.	This episode marks the first appearance of Crusher, however his introduction appears in the 8th series, officially. Note that, for continuity reasons, in some airings of this episode, Jonathan Linsley's appearance as Crusher has been edited out, although his name still appears in the end credits. This was because when the episode was originally shown before "Keeping Britain Tidy", it made no sense for him to be a surprise if the key characters had already met him. Loxley Lozenge was effectively brought to the front of this series, to become a seasonal special, which caused this continuity problem. This episode also marked the 2nd (due to popularity) guest appearance of Wesley Pegden (who became a full regular from the next series onward until 2002). Also guest-starring appearance of Ashley Jackson as a Painter. Included on the Series 7 & 8 boxset. The general consensus is the chassis of an Austin Sheerline was used as a prop for the titular fictional vehicle.

Regular series

Title	Airdate	Description	Notes
The Mysterious Feet of Nora Batty	10 February	Foggy and Compo have a disagreement about the size of Nora's feet, so they set out to find out the truth.
Keeping Britain Tidy	17 February	Foggy decides to embark upon a campaign to clean up the countryside, starting with an old mattress.	This episode officially features the introduction of Crusher, despite his having appeared in the previous Christmas Special. This episode guest features that of Brian Glover. Note that Brian Glover and Brian Wilde previously co-starred in Porridge.
Enter The Phantom	24 February	Compo transforms himself into 'The Phantom', a daredevil motorcyclist. Will this impress Nora?	'Crusher' Milburn is a regular character from this episode until the 1987 Christmas Special
Catching Digby's Donkey	3 March	Foggy offers to help Digby catch his donkey.	This episode marks the first appearances of Howard, Pearl and Marina who become full regulars from the next series onward. Guest starring John Evitts as Digby
The Woollenmills of your Mind	10 March	Compo comes up with yet another plan to impress Nora – entering a marathon.	The theme from Chariots of Fire can be heard during Compo's training sequence.
Who's Looking After The Cafe, Then?	17 March	Foggy volunteers to look after Ivy's Cafe while she goes out.	This episode sees the last appearance of Foggy (as Wilde left to star in Wyatt's Watchdogs). He would return in Series 12 5 years later. Third guest appearance of Wesley Pegden before becoming a regular character in the following episode, Uncle of the Bride.

DVD release

The box set for series 7 and 8 was released by Universal Playback in March 2008.

The Complete Series 7 & 8

Set Details

15 episodes 3-disc set Language: English

Release Date

Region 2

3 March 2008

The region 2 DVD contains edited episodes for The Loxley Lozenge and Catching Digby's Donkey. Both episodes are unedited on the region 1 DVD release.

References

Bright, Morris; Robert Ross (2000). Last of the Summer Wine: The Finest Vintage. London: BBC Worldwide Ltd. ISBN 0-563-55151-8.

External links

• Series 8 at the Internet Movie Database