Mr Swainey is an excellent supporting character in One Foot In The Grave. He provides an optimistic counterpoint to Victor, but is rounded enough to have moments of depression and self-doubt.
What’s more, he has some seemingly dark peccaddiloes.
When he first returns at the start of series two, in In Luton Airport No-One Can Hear You Scream, he’s clutching a rental video, and no reference is made to it.
This is what he rented …
This anthology series was only released in the UK on video rental, and not for sale until 1993. Safe Sex was the seventh of eight volumes – so Mr Swainey is deep into his watch.
By the time we get to episode four, Who Will Buy?, Mr Swainey has organised a variety show, and here are all the acts he’s booked.
In the middle of all those (presumably) fictional acts, we see he’s booked Jerry Sadowitz too. And this was well before he had been seen much on UK television screens.
