How Bob helped to bring millions of Brits to books
An early acting role saw Bob Hoskins help adults across the UK improve their literacy
ON THE Move launched as an adult literacy series 45 years ago and was so successful it led thousands of people to seek help to improve their reading and writing. The face of the series was Bob Hoskins as furniture removal man Alf Hunt, who was frustrated at his difficulties with reading. His mate Bert, played by Donald Gee, encouraged him to tackle the problem and over the weeks Alf made steady progress.
It was the first major TV role for Bob Hoskins and he struck a chord
with viewers all over the country who identified with the likeable working class bloke who wanted to improve himself.
The BBC series launched on October 12, 1975. An estimated 17 million people ended up watching the Sunday tea-time shows and there would be queues outside the UK’s adult literacy centres every Monday morning.
The 10-minute clips were written by Barry Took with Liver Birds actress Polly James making a guest appearance in the first episode. Martin Shaw, Rosemary Leach and Patricia Hayes also appeared during the course of the series.
Each programme featured an inspiring interview with someone whose life had been transformed after taking adult literacy classes. Alf and Bert drove a van with a large arrow on the side and the gentle banter between the two delivery men proved encouraging to people who wanted to improve their own reading and writing skills.
Bob himself once said of his acting career: “I came into this business uneducated, dyslexic, 5ft 6ins, cubic, with a face like a squashed cabbage and they welcomed me with open arms.”