Jack Barton says:  "No one will forget the torment and anguish Ronnie went through when the man he'd lived with for years died.  Ronnie had had a long and happy relationship with Brian Hankins, who was also in the cast."

 

Tradegy struck when Brian discovered he had cancer.  After two years of pain and constant nursing by Ronnie, sadly, he died.  Ronnie was devastated, and Jack was very concerned about his health.

 

He says:  "Ronnie couldn't work, and we were worried about his drinking.  I had to give him a break to get over it, so I wrote him out of the series for three months.  He's a real professional and that's what saved him.

 

"I thought it would help matters if the character he played had a lady in his life.  So I chose Sue Lloyd.  She was uninhibited, with a great sense of humour.  I thought she'd make a great foil for Ronnie - and I was right.

 

"She moved into his flat after just a few months and when people asked about him she said, 'Ronnie Allen is all male - and I should know!'  It was quite a surprise not only because of Ronnie's past but because Sue had been living with another man when she teamed up with him.

 

"Ronnie and Sue were very professional and dedicated to the show.  So they were absolutely stunned when they were fired.  When they filmed their farewell scene there were real tears.  They were heartbroken."