The Paper Lads

The Paper Lads is a children's television series produced by Tyne Tees Television and broadcast from 1977 to 1979. There were two series made; each of seven episodes. It was set in Newcastle in North East England, and was based around the adventures of some newspaper delivery boys and girls. The signature tune of the series, "Back Home Once Again", was performed by progressive folk rock band Renaissance, and it appears as a full-length song on their 1978 album A Song For All Seasons. Network Video released the first episode on their collection "Look-Back on '70s Telly - Issue 2". The full series is due to be released on Network DVD on 29 July 2013. Two novels by William Humble based on the series were released by Target Books.

Drama

Seasons

1. Round One

Air Date: 1977-08-24

The Crawford's shop has heard that Arthur Turner has sold his shop, so the Crawford's will expand the paper round and advertise for more lads. Crawford has asked his lads to clean the cellar on Sunday to make room for the expansion.

2. Cash and Carry

Air Date: 1977-08-31

Gog's dad (a security guard) has to work late and Gog offers to bring him fish and chips. When Ian and Gog arrive at his father's work, they find him tied up and unconscious. The thieves have stolen £20,000.

3. The Sweetie Shop Kid

Air Date: 1977-09-07

The owner of #22 Blaydon Street is on vacation. Why are the curtains twitching? Gog investigates and is held captive by the escaped "Sweetie Shop thief."

4. Fifty Years a Showman

Air Date: 1977-09-14

Sam distracts her grandad so Baz and Gog can measure his prize winning leeks. Uncle Bob has paid Baz £1 to get the measurements. In the morning, all of Bob's leeks have been cut down. Did the lads do it?

5. Enter Picasso

Air Date: 1977-09-21

Someone has stolen £5 from the shop. Sam has bought a new scarf, and Baz has gone to the pictures. Everyone is a suspect, especially Ian who has bought art supplies and has been acting strangely.

6. Best Foot Forward

Air Date: 1977-09-28

J.G. wants to play football, but his mother wants him to go to University. When all sorts of football scouts start coming to the house to sign him, she finally gives in.

7. Eyewitness

Air Date: 1977-10-05

Sam is an eyewitness to a shop break-in - can she avoid the thieves?

1. New Boy

Air Date: 1978-11-20

J.G. has gone off to Sunderland and Crawford will need a new lad. Sam is hoping she will get the job. There is a bigger problem than that when a baby is snatched from his pram outside the shop.

2. Paddy for Champ

Air Date: 1978-11-27

Sam's Whippet dog Paddy goes missing. The paper lads go out searching for him. They find out that someone they know has stolen him so they can race him.

3. Intruders

Air Date: 1978-12-04

There is a rash of burglaries in the area and the finger is pointed right at Ian and Gog.

4. A Day to Remember

Air Date: 1978-12-11

Crawford takes the lads to the museum and carnival. He spends most of his day chasing them. He slips while looking for Ian and falls over the edge of a cliff.

5. Presents from Paris

Air Date: 1979-01-08

Gog arrives home from a trip to France. Jack spots a crook at the airport that he put away for 10 years. When they all get home, Gog can't find the presents he bought for everyone. His bag has been switched by the crook Jack saw.

6. It Takes Two to Tango

Air Date: 1979-01-15

Baz is looking forward to the Ballroom Dancing Competition. His partner drops him with only a few days to go, claiming that he is too short. His sister Sam puts an ad in the window for a partner for him. The lads did not know he could dance and start teasing him. The night of the dance, he reveals his partner is Sam. After all, she has been practicing with him for years.

7. The Sailor's Return

Air Date: 1979-01-22

Ian's father comes back from sea and announces he is going to marry his girlfriend. Ian hates living with her while his father is away and is against the wedding.

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Rating

7.8/10

Release Date

1977-08-24

Episodes

14 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Videos

Production Companies

Tyne Tees Television