Damon and Debbie was a three-part spin-off from the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside first broadcast in November 1987. A Mersey Television production, it was written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, directed by Bob Carlton, and produced by Colin McKeown. The series is credited as the first 'soap bubble'.
The series followed teen sweethearts Damon Grant (Simon O'Brien) and Debbie McGrath (Gillian Kearney) as they absconded to York to escape their disapproving parents in Liverpool who objected to the relationship because of the class divide. It ended with the death of Damon, who had been a regular character in Brookside since its launch in 1982.
Created by Phil Redmond
Written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Directed by Bob Carlton
Starring Simon O'Brien, Gillian Kearney
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language English
No. of episodes 3
Time per Ep 60 minutes
Never Commerically Released
Quality 9 Out Of 10 - Very good picture and sound
Digital transferred from VHS to DVD - very good quality
Episode number Directed by Written by Original air date
"1" Bob Carlton Frank Cottrell Boyce 4 November 1987
Having run away from their parents in Liverpool, Damon and Debbie, squat on a boat moored on the River Ouse in York. They have chosen York because it is the home of one of the universities Debbie wishes to attend. Their aims are for Debbie to go to university whilst Damon begins a painter/decorator business. In the meantime, Damon works in the Dick Turpin-themed Burger Bar in Coney Street,[11] managed by Lettuce (Siobhan Maher). One day, while Debbie attends an open day at the University of York, the boat's owner returns and sails away with all of their belongings, including her medication. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, Debbie's family, who are hostile towards Damon, begin the hunt for them after discovering a University of York prospectus in her bedroom.
"2" Bob Carlton Frank Cottrell Boyce 11 November 1987
The couple visit Morecambe , with Goth Papadum-packer Jenny (Michelle Holmes), whom Debbie had met at the open day, and her husband, computer programmer Kirk (Ian Ormsby-Knox). They then move to Bradford, where Damon works as a groundsman at the Valley Parade football ground (reflecting, in an interior monologue, upon the fire there a year earlier). In Bradford, they stay with friends Patrick (Lyndam Gregory) and Apala (Seeta Indrani). In a montage they are seen visiting what was then the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.
Throughout the episode, Debbie, who has kept her diabetes secret from Damon, tries to locate a pharmacy to obtain insulin, having left her own supply on the boat in York. When she finds her medical bag and injects herself with her medicine, Damon wrongly concludes that she is a drug addict, and he leaves the house.
"3" Bob Carlton Frank Cottrell Boyce 18 November 1987
Debbie's uncles continue their search for the couple, finally tracking them down after they return to York. The series concludes when, after a mock marriage in a hotel room, Damon is stabbed by an unknown assailant on a dark riverbank and dies in Debbie's arms.
Never commerically released, transfered from VHS to DVD
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Never commercially released, transferred from TV recording to DVD Very good quality 8 / 10 - Excellent production
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