The Babysitting Circle

Synopsis

All six episodes of the sharp-edged sitcom set around an unconventional babysitting club, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as The Circle. Wheeler-dealer snooker club owner Geoff Bryant and his wife Jenny have recently moved onto a new estate in Whittleshulme, Cheshire. Described in the brochure as an 'exclusive village development', it's squarely aimed at yuppies, the nouveau-riche and high-fliers. The trouble is, there are no local teenagers to babysit, leaving the residents to juggle careers and kids as best they can.So when local bigwig Julian Percival sets up a babysitting circle, it seems like the ideal solution. Not only does it present an opportunity for Geoff (who has a sneaky ulterior motive for joining) but it's a lifeline for his neighbours, including frazzled doctor Tariq and hardworking headmistress Carla. But none of them have banked on naughty five-year-old Crystal, whose behaviour is so bad it's embarrassing. And when the group are faced with a childcare crisis, who will be left holding the baby?Written by prize-winning author Elizabeth Baines, this funny, feelgood comedy drama stars Sherrie Hewson, John McArdle, Jane Hazelgrove, Lyndam Gregory and Jonathon Morris.Production creditsWritten by Elizabeth BainesDirected by Andy JordanCastJenny Bryant - Sherrie HewsonGeoff Bryant - John McArdleTrish Abbas - Jane HazelgroveTariq Abbas - Lyndam GregoryJulian Percival - Jonathon MorrisDoug Lewis - Shaun ParkesVanessa Percival - Melissa SindenEmma - Tara PendergastHayley - Jane CawdronCrystal - Holliday GraingerBenedict - Oliver HamiltonJessica - Gemma SalusburyCarla McInnan - Maxine BurthShaneela - Rina MahoneySammy - Anthony HicklingTim (Teenager) - Ciaran GriffithsElliot (News Boy) - Gregg BainesEdmund - Christopher LimondMike Quigley - Andrew WhymentFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 April-3 June 1999© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd