Shelley Episode Rating Graph

In spite of cutbacks, full time employment att eh Foreign Office looms for Shelley.

The third season of 'Shelley' ends with the birth of his and Fran's daughter, whom they christen 'Emma' ( named after Hywel Bennett's real-life daughter ). Fran insists on her husband being present at the birth.

Shelley is attempting to do all the rewiring in his and Fran's new home, while she, heavily pregnant, watches him. His monologue about his woodwork teacher - 'Mr.Smiley' - is cut short when Mrs.H. shows up, and starts complaining about the Moroccans who have moved into her boarding house. Then salesman Mr.Croft tries to persuade Shelley he has Dry Rot under the stairs...

Shelley is having a quiet cup of tea and reading a paper in Arthur's café, when a tramp ( Nicholas Le Prevost ) sits down and mutters: "What is life?". Rather than tell the guy, Derek Nayland, to sling his hook, Jim engages him in a heated discussion about life, the universe and everything.

Having blown his latest job interview through telling the truth ( that he hates work in all its forms ), Shelley decides to try lying his way into a top job at the Foreign Office. The panel are a sinister bunch, headed by Grace Lissier ( Gaye Brown ), a cross between 'Millicent Fritton' of St.Trinians and 'Rosa Klebb' of SMERSH.

Shelley, once more with bags of time on his hands, is attempting to put up kitchen shelves, when he is interrupted by Paul 'Bunter' Englund ( Warren Clarke ), the best man at his recent wedding. Bunter is in a state of high anxiety. The police are after him.

The day of reckoning arrives and Shelley goes to his local DHSS office to sign on for the dole.

Shelley and his girlfriend Fran are looking for accomadation. After viewing unsuitable properties, they find a room at Mrs Hawkins' house.

Shelley is angered by the casual attitude of the police when he reports his toaster stolen.

Shelley's mother arranges for him to dine with Fran, who gave him the elbow weeks ago.

Shelley has to come up with a sales campaign for a new range of Instant Paella. The stuff proves hard to market as it is virtually tasteless. In a meeting, he inadvertently insults his boss Cyril ( John Barron ), not realising the comment has been captured on tape. When a colleague tells him this, he is horrified.

Shelley, now in work, looks for somewhere to live with wife-to-be Fran and their impending child. They come across a ramshackle house which they want to buy but cannot as they do not have enough money. A visit to the local Bank leads them nowhere - to get a mortgage you first need an account.

Shelley is appalled to learn that his favourite pub is to undergo a refit, to be renamed 'The Victory' and the staff are to dress as Admiral Nelson. But that is the least of his problems. At the Unemployment Benefit Office, the Dole Inspector wants to know why, with his qualifications ( ten O Levels, 4 A Levels and a Phd ) he has hardly ever worked. "I don't like work.", says Shelley.

When Shelley fails to come home one night after working behind the bar of 'The Victory', Mrs.Hawkins tells Fran not to worry. "Wherever he is, he won't be with a woman!".