The fifth of an eight-part docusoap produced by Tyne Tees Television and narrated by former Northeast fireman and Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan that unveils the lives of a dozen characters living in the West End of Newcastle. In this episode the Muslim brothers running a local fish and chips shop take delivery of an order of Poppers which are popular with their customers, comedian Glen explores his darker side dealings with issues of homophobia growing up in County Durham, and leather...

The fifth of an eight-part docusoap produced by Tyne Tees Television and narrated by former Northeast fireman and Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan that unveils the lives of a dozen characters living in the West End of Newcastle. In this episode the Muslim brothers running a local fish and chips shop take delivery of an order of Poppers which are popular with their customers, comedian Glen explores his darker side dealings with issues of homophobia growing up in County Durham, and leather worker Pat becomes a seventies rock icon. The lives also being explored include transsexual Paul who resolves to dress as a woman all the time and great-grand-father George Rushford opens his drinking shack ‘The Ponderosa’ in the garden of his home in Elswick, but does he have a drink problem? An opening montage around the West End of Newcastle and the city skyline featuring the Tyne Bridge in the distance. A road sign attached to a wall with the programme’s titles on it. Title: WestEnders A second montage providing details on the individuals who will feature in this episode. Title: WestEnders At their Happy Chip takeaway shop on Waterloo Road Thariq Mohammed and his brother Sajit or Saj prepare for another busy night. A delivery of 5000 bottles of Poppers is made, a legal but controversial drug that is popular in the clubbing scene and in the gay community. A hand-drawn sign with details of the types of Poppers for sale. Standing in the doorway of his shop Thariq reads the label on one of the bottles which say the drug stimulates the body and relaxes the muscles. Thariq believes it is perfectly safe to sell and has been doing so for years. Inside Saj sells a bottle of poppers to a female customer, other clubbers come into the shop and he, Thariq and another member of staff work hard to serve bags of chips as well as bottle of Poppers. Saj talks about some of the strange requests he’s had from customers, he explains why he’s happy to work until 5am. Glen Joshua wearing the outfit of his new comedy character ‘Sunny Savile’, the illegitimate son of Jimmy Savile changes to him in his hometown of Durham standing on Prebend Bridge looking toward Durham Cathedral. As he climbs a nearby hill he talks about coming up this hill as a teenager to give himself a sense of perspective and to be alone with his thoughts. He talks about his long periods of unemployment and how being a volunteer helped politicise him. A brief shot of Glen as ‘Sunny Savile’ sitting on a toilet outside a building change to Glen walking across a field to what he calls his ‘meditation tree’. Sitting under it he explains that he comes her to help with his creative visualisation. He talks about coming from a large family with a sick father and coming to the tree to get away from things. Over a montage around the former pit village of Usher Moor Glen talks about suffering from homophobia while living there some years earlier. Inside his DP Leathers shop on Westgate Hill Dave Pattison, known as Pat, works on garment to be worn by a bandmate in the Kiss tribute band. Inside The Rock Bar at Easington in Country Durham Pat and his fellow bandmate tune their instruments in readiness for that night’s gig, in voiceover Pat explains that he can no longer get enthusiastic about performing and explains why you should never join a tribute band. As the group put on makeup Pat talks about fellow bandmembers after which two of them talk about him. One of them stands and model’s the outfit produced by Pat. On stage the group perform a night of ‘blood, sweat and tears.’ Walking along a country lane Glen talks about how it was near here in January 2002 he attempted suicide due to being in a dark depression. Looking at it now he is more positive believing this was where the healing began and where he was inspired to create ‘Sunny Savile’. Back at home in his flat he rehearses his performance. Taking the programme into the commercial break a preview of part two. Title: End of Part One Westenders As transsexual Paul Thomas comes to collect his new Vauxhall Corsa car from s garage, narrator Jonny Regan explains that it is ten years to the day that Paul came to live in Newcastle after being viciously attacked in London. As he drives home, he talks about a decision he has made to dress in a more feminine way all the time and why this is important to him. Sitting at home as he flicks through photographs of the first time he dressed in drag, he talks about the experience of walking along Waterloo Road. To test his nerve Paul goes for a walk around Westgate Hill wearing a woman’s blouse, as he walks around the area he talks about looking around at other women and being more casual. He also talks about how to deal with people who laugh or are aggressive, ignore them and about having good days and bad days. As he walks across a park Jonny Regan explains that he will soon be travelling to London to see his psychiatrist to talk about his sex change operation with the outcome of that meeting determining if it will go ahead. In the front garden of his Elswick home pensioner George Rushford is helped to attach a sign to his drinking shack that reads ‘The Ponderosa.’ Once installed he sits on the shacks sofa alongside a friend drinking a can of Carling larger explaining the economics of drinking cans over going to the public house or pub. Now laying down with his shirt open, George is asked what he does when the weather gets colder. Walking the few hundred yards to his local pub The Independent George sits at a table lighting his pipe and drinking more beer while listening to a woman sing karaoke. He talks about drinking on average 10 or twelve pints of beer a day as well as large amounts of spirits. On the dancefloor three women dancing, one of them talks about why she likes the atmosphere in the pub. George is asked if he thinks he is an alcoholic, as more beers are pulled at the bar George explains why he thinks he isn’t. Back at The Happy Chip Jonny Regan explains that it is in what is known as the Pink Triangle close to several gay and lesbian clubs. Inside co-owner Saj thanks the gay community for their support, a customer talks about how neither Saj nor brother Thariq are bias against gay people. As a drunk young woman begins to dance on one of the tables, Saj talks about some of the ‘daft’ things people get up to in his shop. Also visiting The Happy Chip is Paul who lives nearby and is dressed as his Saturday night alter ego Patsy. After chatting with Saj he talks about going out clubbing and knowing Saj and his brother since moving to the area ten years ago. As a fresh batch of chips comes out of the fryer, Saj is asked what the secret of a perfect chip is. Back on stage at The Rock Bar in Easington Pat as lead guitarist Ace Frehley and the rest of the Kiss tribute band continue to perform for the watching crowd. With his enthusiasm for the band returned, he talks about the American rock band are and why they are so influential. Outside between sets he is asked how much he drinks, back on stage he performs with his guitar appearing to smoke. As another member of the band performs fire breathing Pat talks about the possibility of performing abroad and how he would be on the road constantly if able to make a living from performing. The performance comes to an end and the crowd cheers. Title: WestEnders Over a montage of clips details are provided on next week’s programme followed by views of the West End at sunset over the closing credits. Credit: Narrator Jonny Regan Camera Georgina Kiedrowski Sound Kerry Plummer Music McGregor Cook Online Editor Edmund Quigley Dubbing Mixer John Cook Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Producer Sal Brecken Producer and Offline Editor Michael Steel Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Series Producer Derek Proud Title: © Tyne Tees Television 2003 End title: A Tyne Tees Television Production. Granada