Call the Midwife
With England riding high in the World Cup, Fred sees an opportunity...
SUNDAY 9 May, 8pm BBC1 Drama
Poplar is in the grip of footy fever as England reach the quarter-finals of the 1966 World Cup. And there’s further cause to celebrate as a new student midwife arrives at Nonnatus House. Brought up in an orphanage, Nancy Corrigan (Megan Cusack) throws herself into her work but her bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired and she ends up upsetting one local resident. Will Trixie prove to be an ally?
CALL THE MIDWIFE
Sunday, 8pm BBC1 Drama
Football fever hits Poplar as it’s the summer of 1966 and the England team reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, local newsagent and football fan Fred Buckle is in particularly high spirits.
‘Fred and Violet have had the shop done up with rosettes, footballs and flags,’ says Cliff Parisi, who plays Fred. ‘They’re very excited about the World Cup.’
As the nuns and midwives at Nonnatus House get into the spirit of things by organising a sweepstake, Fred’s in his element as he fills in young Reggie on the teams England are likely to face on the road to World Cup glory.
Poplar’s resident bookmaker Barney (Paul Putner) then comes into Fred’s shop and encourages him to bet on the tournament. Fred places bets on the result of each stage of the competition and is jubilant as England beat Argentina in the quarter-finals, then Portugal in the semis.
Celebrations
As World Cup final day approaches, the residents of Poplar are on the edge of their seats as they gather in the community centre to watch England take on West Germany
– and there are celebrations galore as the national side lifts the coveted Jules Rimet Trophy. Fred, however, is in no mood to celebrate…
‘Let’s just say, Fred does something very controversial during the World Cup,’ says Cliff. ‘It’s a bittersweet victory.’
Cliff’s been fortunate enough to previously meet some of the England players who took part in the 1966 World Cup.
‘I was only six during the 1966 World Cup, so I don’t remember any of the games,’ says Cliff. ‘But I was lucky enough to work with Sir Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst years ago on a TV series called Gone to the Dogs. They were guests of honour and everybody was starstruck.’