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{{Short description|none}}
{{article issues|cleanup=March 2009|introrewrite=March 2009|unreferenced=March 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
This is a list of all episodes complete with synopses and airdates for the ] ] '''''The Brittas Empire'''''. The show first aired between 1991 and 1997 on ]. More information about the programme can be found at: '']''.
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2012}}{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of ''The Brittas Empire'' episodes}}
This is a list of episodes, with synopses and airdates, of the ] ] '']''. It stars ] as Gordon Brittas, the well-meaning but incompetent manager of a ] in ]. It first aired between 1991 and 1997 on ]. It was created by Richard Fegen and ], who together co-wrote the first five series (1991–1996). A total of seven series and 52 episodes were created, including two ] specials (1994 and 1996) and two short sketches for ] (in 1995 and 1996 respectively). Most of the main characters are in all episodes, but Laura is only in the first five series. Helen Brittas is in all but one episode (in series four); Linda does not appear in two episodes of the first series. Angie is only in series one, and her replacement is Julie, played by ], who is in all episodes from series two onwards, except for the 1996 Christmas special.


The cast appeared all in character for the '']'' of 1996, and the success of the series has resulted in it being released on ] and ] by 2 Entertain, BBC Warner, and Eureka Video throughout the 1990s and 2000s. An ], read by Barrie as Brittas, was also released.
The show was created by ] and ], who together co-wrote the first five series. A total of seven series and 53 episodes were created, including two Christmas specials and one children-in-need short.
Most of the main characters are in all episodes, however character "Laura" is only in the first five series. Helen Brittas is in all but two episodes in series four; Linda does not appear in two episodes of the first series. Angie is only in series one, and her replacement is “Julie”, played by ], who is in all episodes series two and onwards, except the 1997 Christmas special.


==Episodes==
The cast appeared in character for the ] of 1996, and the show's success has resulted in it being brought out on ] and ], by 2 Entertain, BBC Warner, and Eureka Video throughout the 1990s and 2000ths. An audio feature starring Gordon Brittas was also produced.
===Series 1 (1991)===
All episodes were filmed and produced in 1990.


{{Episode table |background=#FF6C6C |overall= |series= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
==Series 1 (1991)==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Laying of the Foundations
|Title=Laying the Foundations
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|3|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|3|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Gordon Brittas arrives to find enthusiastic staff, but a depressed Carole. Within minutes of arrival he upsets the staff, causes the construction workers to go on strike and brings along some very complicated rotas. Counsellor Dappin soon regrets the council appointing Brittas as manager of the new leisure centre. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary=Gordon Brittas arrives at Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre to find enthusiastic staff, but ] Carole is depressed. She gave birth three weeks ago and her husband left her for her best friend. Within minutes of arrival, Brittas brings along some very complicated ], which he refuses to change, upsetting the staff - one of whom tries to drop a ] onto him. In reaction to Brittas' condescending attitude, the cleaner walks away. The ]s react to Brittas by going on ] and pouring ] into Brittas' car. ] Dapping soon regrets the council appointing Brittas as manager of the new leisure centre.
|LineColor=FF6C6C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title= The Opening Day
|Title=The Opening Day
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|10|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|10|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=] is to visit the centre, on its first day open to the public. Brittas is determined for the day to run smoothly, however Helen tries to warn Laura that there is guaranteed disaster where her husband is concerned. Helen's proven right when Brittas upsets the builders, causing them to abandon a leaking pool that soon floods into the boiler room. Soon the heaters go on overdrive, the faulty electronic doors won't open, and Laura's friend Michael is electrocuted. |ShortSummary=] is to visit the centre on its first day open to the public. Brittas is determined for the day to run smoothly, but his wife Helen tries to warn Laura that disaster is guaranteed wherever her husband is. Helen is proven right when Brittas upsets the builders, causing them to abandon a leaking pool that soon floods into the ]; the heaters go on overdrive, the faulty ]s will not open, and Laura's friend Michael is ]d.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF6C6C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Bye Bye Baby |Title=Bye Bye Baby
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|17|df=y}}
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|ShortSummary= Carole prepares to be reunited with her previously cheating husband, who is coming home from Spain. Unfortunately for Carole, a misunderstanding involving a baby leads to her husband walking out on her again. Brittas causes queues and complications in reception, and drives the guest speaker, who has arrived to give a talk on how to cope with stress, to breaking point. This is one of the two episodes character "Linda" didn't appear in.
|RTitle=<ref group="n" name="Linda">This is one of the two episodes the character "Linda" does not appear in.</ref>
|LineColor=FFFFff
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Carole's husband, who moved to Spain with his ], visits the centre to reunite with her. However, a misunderstanding involving a baby leads to him deciding not to return to her. Brittas' ] causes queues and complications in reception and drives to breaking point the ], who has arrived to give a talk on how to cope with stress.
|LineColor=FF6C6C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Underwater Wedding |Title=Underwater Wedding
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|24|df=y}}
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|ShortSummary=An underwater wedding is being held inside the leisure centre, but the best man's finger is stuck in a grate at the bottom of the pool. There is also a drunk, disabled man in an electric wheel chair on the loose, and Brittas executes a plan involving cardboard boxes to catch him. This only leads to Colin shooting Gavin with a harpoon gun, and a leak of chlorine gas throughout the building. Amongst the madness is a young women, Beverly, who has come for a job interview. |LineColor=FFFFff
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|1|31|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=An underwater wedding is being held inside the centre, but the ]'s finger is stuck in a grate at the bottom of the pool. Also, a drunk disabled man is on the loose in his ], and Brittas executes a plan involving cardboard boxes to catch him, which leads to Colin shooting Gavin with a ] and ] leaking throughout the building. Witness to the madness is 17-year-old jobseeker Beverley.
|LineColor=FF6C6C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5 |EpisodeNumber=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Stop Thief! |Title=Stop Thief!
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|2|7|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|2|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas is convinced there is a thief amongst the staff, thus he employs a series of methods to find out who the culprit is. Meanwhile Helen is desperate for some more pills, but the new doctor insists he meets the cause of her depression--Brittas--before giving her a prescription. After meeting Brittas the doctor doesn't hesitate. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary=Brittas is convinced there is a thief amongst the staff, so he employs a series of methods to discover the culprit. After Simon ends their affair, Helen is desperate for more pills. However, the new doctor insists on meeting the cause of her depression--her husband--before giving her a ]. After meeting Brittas, the doctor does not hesitate.
|LineColor=FF6C6C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Assassin |Title=Assassin
|RTitle=<ref group="n" name="Linda"/>
|DirectedBy=Mike Stephens
|WrittenBy=Andrew Fegen and Richard Norriss
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|2|14|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1991|2|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Someone is out to kill Brittas, injuring Helen by accident after sabotaging Brittas's brakes, and wants Gavin to help him do the deed. |LineColor=CCFFCCf |ShortSummary=Someone is out to kill Brittas--injuring Helen by accident after sabotaging Brittas' brakes--and wants Gavin to help him with the foul deed. Brittas and a few other people are taken to the hospital's ], badly injured by a lorry hitting Brittas as he walked across a ].
|LineColor=FF6C6C
}}
}} }}
|}


==Series 2 (1992)== ===Series 2 (1992)===
All episodes were filmed and produced in 1991.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #C17DFF;"|No.
!style="background: #C17DFF;"|Title
!style="background: #C17DFF;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Back From The Dead |Title=Back from the Dead
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|2|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|2|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The leisure centre is quiet until word gets out that Gordon Brittas is away in Bulgaria, whereupon it gets very busy. Helen arrives and informs the staff that Gordon is dead, however as the staff and Helen prepare for an easier life without Brittas, but the staff are all horrified when he walks through the leisure centre doors. Meanwhile, unaware her husband is alive, Helen prepares for her wedding. Carole faints in shock, and after a talk with Colin, believes Brittas wants her child to gain perpetual youth, a misunderstanding leading to Carole crushing Brittas's car with a digger, with him inside it. |ShortSummary=The centre is quiet until it becomes known that Brittas is in ], whereupon it becomes very busy. Helen arrives and informs the staff that Brittas was accidentally crushed to death in a ] in Bulgaria. However, as the staff and Helen prepare for an easier life without him, the staff are all horrified when he walks through the centre's doors eight days after he left. He tells them that he was shut in a ]. Still believing him to be dead, Helen prepares for her wedding. Carole faints in shock, and after a talk with Colin, believes Brittas is a ] who wants her baby to gain ]. This misunderstanding leads to Carole to crush Brittas' car using an ]--whilst he is inside it.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Temple Of The Body |Title=Temple of the Body
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|9|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|9|df=y}} (10.06 million viewers<ref>link.gale.com/apps/doc/A171114124/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=70f6b8a8</ref>)
|ShortSummary=Brittas is horrified to discover women's underwear in his office, and is convinced that a staff member is using the facilities to have sex. He segregates the sexes and bugs Linda; the evidence gathered leads him to Gavin. The real culprit is in fact Helen, who discovers Gordon unknowingly had sex with Carol at a fancy dress party. Simultaneously, Julie is being hounded by reporters for rescuing a dog from a river in the nude. |ShortSummary=Brittas is horrified to discover women's underwear in his office and is convinced that a staff member is using the facilities to ]. He segregates the sexes and ] Linda; the evidence gathered leads him to Gavin, whom Brittas is unaware is in a ] with Tim. The real culprit is Helen, who discovers that Brittas had sex with Carole at a ] party, wrongly assuming her to have been Helen, because they were both wearing ]. Julie is being hounded by reporters for rescuing a dog from a river whilst topless.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=An Inspector Calls |Title=An Inspector Calls
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|16|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|16|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Brittas fears for his job when the Southern Area Inspector visits, fully aware that visiting figures are poor. Colin accidentally causes a pigeon to roost in the gymnasium, leading to a chain of chaotic trivialities threatening the inspection. Helen meanwhile has been insulted by a badly chosen birthday present, a moped with a yellow helmet reading "hi I'm Helen", thus she decides to leave Gordon. |ShortSummary= Brittas fears for his job when the Southern Area Inspector visits, fully aware that visiting figures are poor. Colin accidentally causes a pigeon to roost in the ]nasium, leading to a chain of chaotic trivialities that threaten the inspection. Meanwhile, insulted by a badly-chosen birthday gift (a ] with a yellow helmet reading 'Hi I'm Helen'), Helen decides ] Brittas.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Set In Concrete |Title=Set In Concrete
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|23|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|23|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=An extreme argument with the Rotary Club has caused Brittas's feet to be set in concrete, who after frequent fights breaking out, considers if the centre has Sick Building Syndrome; a Specialist arrives. However Laura tries to explain to Brittas that it is he who is the cause of the centre's problems. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary=An extreme argument with the ] results in them setting Brittas' feet in concrete. After frequent arguments break out, Brittas think the centre has ]. A specialist arrives, and Laura is tasked with explaining to Brittas that he is the cause of the centre's problems. Laura proceeds to explain ] and ] to Brittas, after which he decides to return the moped bought for Helen and buy her a car instead, to her delight. A ] arrives to remove the concrete using a ].
|LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
Line 86: Line 115:
|Title=Mums and Dads |Title=Mums and Dads
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|30|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|1|30|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The centre is preparing for a concert by Vladimir Petrov, a visiting pianist from the Leningrad Conservatory. Brittas’s father arrives with an old piano, which after being dropped knocks the pianist unconscious. As a result, Gordon decides to perform the concert himself. |ShortSummary=The centre is preparing for a concert by Vladimir Petrov, a visiting pianist from the ]. Brittas’ father Jim visits, telling Laura that he has always told Brittas that he has great ability and can achieve anything. Jim brings Brittas' late mother's piano which gets dropped, knocking the pianist unconscious. Brittas performs the concert himself, despite lacking musical ability.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Safety First |Title=Safety First
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|2|13|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|2|13|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas closes the centre for a series of fire drill exercises while trying to convince Councillor Dapping to install a new fire escape. Meanwhile Helen prepares a special lunch in Brittas’s office to help save their marriage; she even intends to give up the pills needed to cope with her husband. Later in the episode, Helen accidentally causes a fire. |ShortSummary=Brittas closes the centre for a series of ] exercises, while trying to convince Councillor Dapping to install a new ]. Helen prepares a special lunch in Brittas’ office to help save their marriage and even intends to give up the pills necessary to cope with him. Later, she accidentally starts a fire. The fire escape, which is designed to take eight people, collapses with 14 people on it.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7 |EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=New Generations |Title=New Generations
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|2|20|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1992|2|20|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=A cow is loose in the centre which eats Colin's "herbs", thus it is sent into labour on the squash courts. Carole has also eaten the leaves, and her babies end up being delivered by a vet come to assist the cow. |LineColor=CCFFCCf |ShortSummary=A pregnant cow loose in the centre eats some of Colin's leaves, which speed up labour; she gives birth on the ] courts, assisted by a ]. Carole has also eaten some of the leaves, and her twins are delivered by the ] who had come to assist the bovine mother-to-be. Helen tells Laura that she is pregnant with twins and that Brittas is the father of Carole's twins.
|LineColor=C17DFF
}} }}
|} |}


==Series 3 (1993)== ===Series 3 (1993)===
All episodes were filmed and produced in 1992.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #03C03C;"|No.
!style="background: #03C03C;"|Title
!style="background: #03C03C;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=The Trial |Title=The Trial
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|7|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=One of Brittas's enemies is coating random items with glue, and shady characters keep appearing in the centre. This leads to a bloody massacre in the squash courts, the felling of several OAPs and Brittas facing trial for multiple murder and drug-running. |ShortSummary=One of Brittas' enemies is coating random items with glue, and shady characters repeatedly appear in the centre. This leads to a ] of several ] ] in the squash courts, the felling of several OAPs, and Brittas facing trial for ] and multiple ]. After one of the criminals present at the time gives evidence at court, Brittas is acquitted.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=That Creeping Feeling |Title=That Creeping Feeling
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|10|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Offended by Brittas's "individual figure and fitness targets", the staff are refusing to speak to him. Brittas's diplomatic response is to bring in a psychiatrist to check staff anxiety levels. Meanwhile, a deadly tropical spider is roaming the centre and it is only a matter of time before it attacks. |ShortSummary=Offended by Brittas' 'individual figure and fitness targets', the staff refuse to speak to him; his diplomatic response is it bring in a ] to check staff ] levels. The psychiatrist tells Brittas that he is the cause of his staff's stress. A deadly tropical ]s Colin. Brittas sucks out the poison and Colin recovers.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=Laura's Leaving |Title=Laura's Leaving
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|21|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|21|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= While Brittas prepares to welcome Sebastian Coe to the "Expansion in the Leisure Market" Conference, Laura is off to a job interview. Helen is terrified that without Laura, the centre will not be able to cope. A concussed Colin is sent to adjust the heating in the pool, leading to shocking consequences. Carole has moved her children back into the reception drawers. |ShortSummary= While Brittas prepares to welcome ] to the 'Expansion in the Leisure Market' ], Laura is attending a ] for manager of a leisure centre in ]. Helen is terrified that without Laura, the centre will be unable to cope. Laura is offered the job, but decides to stay at Whitbury. A ]ed Colin is sent to adjust the heating in the pool, leading to some pool users being electrocuted. Carole has moved her children back into the reception drawers.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Two Little Boys |Title=Two Little Boys
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|28|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|1|28|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The centre enjoys anniversary celebrations, Gordon's brother - the Reverend Horatio Brittas - is visiting and thirty six staff from a leisure centre in Guildford are visiting for their annual staff outing. As always things do not run smoothly: the centre's oil tank begins leaking, the leaked oil is then brought inside and stored in the weights room to prevent it from being struck by lightning - but a firework is accidentally set off in Brittas's office, which finds its way along the corridor to the weights room, resulting in a large explosion and fire. |ShortSummary= Gordon's brother--] Horatio Brittas--visits for the centre's anniversary celebrations, and 36 staff from a ] leisure centre visit for their annual staff outing. As usual, things go badly wrong: the centre's oil tank begins to leak and the leaked oil is brought inside and stored in the weights room to keep it from being struck by lightning--and a firework is accidentally set off in Brittas' office and streaks along the corridor to the weights room, resulting in a large ] and fire.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5 |EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Sex, Lies and Red Tape |Title=Sex, Lies and Red Tape
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|2|4|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|2|4|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Laura's estranged Husband, Michael T. Farrell, has arrived at the centre desperate for an heir to secure his fortune. Brittas is not happy and endeavours to get rid of him, despite being on a sponsored silence and finding out that Helen is about to be charged with shoplifting. The staff are also hooked on the drafts of a novel that Carole has written. |ShortSummary=Laura's estranged husband, Michael T. Farrell, arrives at the centre two and a half years after the couple ]. He wants her to have his child, because being a father is a condition of his inheriting his family's fortune. Brittas is unhappy and endeavours to get rid of him, despite being on a sponsored silence. He is horrified to learn that Helen is about to be charged with ] and that she had been convicted of the same crime several times before she met him. The staff are interested in the draft of a novel that Carole has written.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=The Stuff of Dreams |Title=The Stuff of Dreams
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|2|11|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1993|2|11|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Troubled by dreams about his own mortality and the future of "The Dream", Brittas is pushing age awareness and resorts to disguising himself as an elderly man as an experiment. The result is a fight in Reception during which Brittas breaks a pensioner's glasses. However events are considered trivial when Helen goes into labour early and needs to be dashed to the hospital. To her horror Brittas drives her there, thus Helen giving birth in the high street. |ShortSummary=Troubled by dreams about his own mortality and the future of 'The Dream', Brittas is pushing age awareness and ]s himself as an elderly man as an experiment. The result is a fight in reception, during which Brittas breaks a pensioner's glasses. Helen, pregnant with twins, goes into labour early and needs to be rushed to the hospital. She had wanted Laura to drive her, but Brittas is behind the wheel. After the man whom Brittas fought ] at low speed, ]s deliver the twin boys in Whitbury High Street.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=03C03C
}} }}
|} |}


==Series 4 (1994)== ===Series 4 (1994)===
All episodes were filmed and produced in 1993.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #00CCCC;"|#
!style="background: #00CCCC;"|Title
!style="background: #00CCCC;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Not A Good Day |Title=Not A Good Day
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|10|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|10|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=It's life cycle week at Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre, and ] has come to help promote the event. Unfortunately, some confusion involving a troublesome child leads to Sebastian Coe being chained to a railing, and the centre being attacked by a Roman recreational society. Meanwhile, Carole’s son Ben escapes out of his cupboard. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary=It is Life Cycle Week at the centre, and ] has come to help promote the event. Unfortunately, confusion involving a troublesome child leads to Colin mistakenly chaining Coe to a railing and the centre being attacked by a Roman recreational society. Carole’s son Ben escapes from his cupboard.
|LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=The Christening |Title=The Christening
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|17|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|17|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=A Christening is in preparation for Brittas’s children, however Helen has left them on a bus. Brittas’s brother Horatio (a Vicar), arrives to christen the children, with an unpleasant girlfriend who enjoys speaking her mind. Neither Helen nor Brittas get along with the women, the former flushing her head down the toilet. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary= On the Brittas twins' ] day, Helen has misplaced them somewhere in town. Their ] uncle Horatio arrives with an unpleasant fiancée who enjoys speaking her mind, and neither Helen nor Brittas get along with her.
|LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=Biggles Tells A Lie |Title=Biggles Tells a Lie
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|24|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= In an attempt to impress his visiting daughter, Colin pretends to be manager of the leisure centre while Brittas takes the day off. All is well until Brittas turns up unexpectedly. Meanwhile a "magazine" is found with an explicit picture of Helen inside it. |ShortSummary= To impress his daughter Stephanie, whom he has never met, Colin pretends to be manager of the centre and to have major achievements. She visits from ], ], Australia, while Brittas takes the day off. The staff, who were previously unaware of her existence, help him to keep up the pretence that he is what he claims to be. Brittas unexpectedly turns up, and disagrees with Colin's deception, but does not reveal the truth to Stephanie. A ] featuring an explicit photo of Helen is found, which she prevents Brittas from seeing.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Mr Brittas Changes Trains |Title=Mr. Brittas Changes Trains
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|31|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|1|31|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas is to attend an important dinner meeting but Helen, knowing it'll be both a disaster and something she'll have to also attend, develops lock jaw. After a staff visit to a hypnosis show, certain staff members are showing erratic behaviour (for one, Colin can't stop telling people he loves them). When the hypnotist arrives to solve the problem, Brittas is accidentally hypnotised himself, making him a more tolerable human being. |ShortSummary=Brittas is to attend an important dinner meeting but Helen, knowing it will be a disaster that she too will need to attend, develops ]. After a staff visit to a ] show, certain staff members show erratic behaviour (Colin tells people he loves them whenever he hears the word 'need'; Linda barks instead of speaking). When the hypnotist arrives to solve the problem, Brittas is accidentally hypnotised, making him a much better person - until its effects wear off at midnight.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5 |EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Playing With Fire |Title=Playing with Fire
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|7|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Helen and the children have gone on holiday, leaving Brittas home alone. An ex-girlfriend of Gavin's returns, intent on reconciling, which causes a rift in Gavin and Tim’s relationship. However, they soon realise that Jenny has escaped from a mental home, along with a caseful of explosives. Meanwhile, it's energy saving week, and to participate, Colin has created a generator powered by the most gruesome of substances |ShortSummary=Helen and the children have gone on holiday, leaving Brittas home alone. Gavin's former girlfriend Jennifer returns, intent on reconciling, which causes a rift in his ] with Tim, but then they discover that Jen has escaped from a ] with a case of ]s. To participate in Energy Saving Week, Colin has created a ] powered by the centre's 'waste material'; Jen attaches Brittas to the generator and he is electrocuted.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Shall We Dance? |Title=Shall We Dance?
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|14|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Helen is still away, and as Brittas and Laura grow closer, the staff begin to spread rumours; even moreso when Brittas announces he'll be taking Laura to the annual staff dance. Unfortunately, her ex-husband has returned, desperate for another chance. Meanwhile, Carole has invited an old boyfriend to the dance, who is intent on proposing marriage; unfortunately, anything can happen at Whitbury, and it does! |ShortSummary=Helen is still away, and as Brittas and Laura grow closer, the staff spread rumours that they are having an affair; even more so when he announces he will be taking Laura to the annual staff dance. Her ex-husband Michael Farrell visits, desperate to reunite with her. Carole has invited her first boyfriend to the dance, who is intent on proposing marriage.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7 |EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=The Chop |Title=The Chop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|28|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|2|28|df=y}}(9.0 million viewers<ref>link.gale.com/apps/doc/A170755640/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=a17bf989</ref>)
|ShortSummary=Councillor Drugget arrives in another attempt to sack Brittas as manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre, and with money having gone missing from the safe (which Helen has borrowed to buy a dog), Druggett gives Brittas an ultimatum; either he accepts responsibility and resigns, or his wife is prosecuted. |ShortSummary=Councillor Druggett arrives in another attempt to ] Brittas as manager of the centre. £300 is missing from ], which Helen borrowed to buy a dog and things for it. Druggett gives Brittas an ]: either he accepts responsibility for mismanaging the hotel and ]s, or his wife will be ]d. Helen has previous convictions and, fearing being imprisoned, she hides in the dog kennel. Brittas replaces the money, claiming he had taken it, and resigns.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8 |EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=High Noon |Title=High Noon
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|3|7|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|3|7|df=y}} (7.56 million viewers<ref>link.gale.com/apps/doc/A170755640/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=a17bf989</ref>)
|ShortSummary=With Brittas gone, Whitbury is busier than ever. But the new manager is untidy, disorganised and apathetic, much to Brittas's disappointment. However, even as a visitor to the center, he still manages to cause chaos; an accident involving a gas leak and a faulty clock causes a disaster of explosive proportions; can Brittas save the day? |ShortSummary=With a replacement manager for Brittas, the centre is busier than ever. But the new manager is untidy, disorganised, and apathetic, much to Brittas's disappointment. However, even as a visitor to the center, Brittas still manages to cause chaos: an accident involving a ] and a faulty clock causes an ] and fire. After the centre is destroyed, Brittas is regarded as a hero. He is awarded a ] and offered his old job back.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=00CCCC
}} }}
|} |}


==Series 5 (1994)== ===Series 5 (1994)===
All episodes were filmed and produced in 1994.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #FEFE33;"|No.
!style="background: #FEFE33;"|Title
!style="background: #FEFE33;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=The Old, Old Story |Title=The Old, Old Story
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|10|31|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|10|31|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=TV religious series “songs of praise” visits the newly re-built Whitbury Leisure Centre for a live recording. But with Gordon Brittas back managing the centre, now crowned local hero after his heroic rescue of three children from the previously burning centre, chaos soon resumes as normal; a live ostrich is loose roaming the centre. Meanwhile, Counsellor Drugett is still intent on getting rid of Brittas; an attractive new job in Brussels might make this possible. |ShortSummary=Religious television series '']'' visits the newly rebuilt centre for a live recording. But with Brittas back managing the centre, now crowned local hero after his heroic rescue of three children from the previous centre's fire, chaos soon resumes and an ] roams loose in the centre. Meanwhile, Counsellor Druggett is still intent on getting rid of Brittas, and an attractive new job in ] might make this possible.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Blind Devotion |Title=Blind Devotion
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|7|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas is considering firing Colin, feeling him inept at his job. Unfortunately, it's far from easy to consider this; Colin has been temporarily blinded, his great aunt has died, and he's lost all of his money, but he still turns up to work on pool duty, inevitably causing disasters. Meanwhile Helen doesn't want to leave for Brittas's new job in Brussels, and the toilets are leaking human excrement. |ShortSummary=Brittas tells Laura that he is going to sack Colin due to Colin's ineptitude. Colin arrives having been temporarily blinded in an accident. His great aunt - who raised him after his parents died - has died, and all of his money has been stolen by a man who has recently fled to ]. The toilets are leaking ]s of ]. After Colin identifies and solves the problem, Brittas decides against firing him. Helen does not want to leave for Brittas' new job in Brussels.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=Brussels Calling |Title=Brussels Calling
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|14|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Gordon visits Brussels in relation to a job he has been offered. Things are therefore expected to run smoothly at the leisure centre, but even all those many miles away Brittas still manages to cause a chain of problems, involving rats and explosions. Helen is in trouble after trying to kill a teacher. |ShortSummary=Brittas visits Brussels in relation to the job he was offered, so things should be running smoothly at the centre. However, even hundreds of miles away, he still manages to cause a chain of problems involving rats and explosions. Helen is in trouble after trying to kill a teacher.
|LineColor=FFFFff
|LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=The Lies Have It |Title=The Lies Have It
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|21|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|21|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=In an attempt to cover up Helen’s affair, Laura’s husband Michael uses Carole’s birthday as a cover story. As the day progresses, the story gets more complicated and contradictory, making Brittas suspicious. Meanwhile Tim’s angry to discover that Gavin has been taking courses on management. |ShortSummary= Attempting to cover up Helen’s affair, Laura’s husband Michael uses Carole’s birthday as an alibi, but the story becomes more complicated and contradictory throughout the day, and Brittas assumes that Michael is having an affair. Laura and Michael are pleased about her pregnancy. Tim is angry to discover that Gavin has been taking management courses.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
Line 248: Line 290:
|Title=The Boss |Title=The Boss
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|28|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|11|28|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Gavin’s in charge for the day as Brittas creates a series of extreme catastrophes to really challenge his managerial skills. Meanwhile Helen tries to hide an "explicit" tattoo printed on her leg, and Carole's wealthy but old boyfriend arrives at the center. Sadly, Carole's hopes for a happy ending are dashed when the man dies in a typically Whitbury fashion. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary=Brittas appoints Gavin to the position of manager for the day, faking a series of catastrophes to challenge Gavin's managerial skills. Helen has a recent ] altered. Carole's wealthy old gentleman friend arrives at the centre, where he is killed when a weightlifting weight is accidentally dropped on his head.
|LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Pregnant! |Title=Pregnant
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|5|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|5|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Confusion plagues the centre when Brittas claims "scientific records" prove over half the staff are pregnant, including Tim. Meanwhile, Julie is being unusually nice to her boss, and Colin is believed to be the father of Carole’s next child, so plans are made for the pair to be married. |ShortSummary=Confusion plagues the centre when Brittas claims that ]s prove that 17 of the staff are pregnant, including Carole, Linda, a woman who has had a ], three who are in their 70s and Tim. Julie is being unusually nice to Brittas. Carole thinks she is pregnant by Colin, so plans are made for them to marry. Julie admits that she dropped the samples and replaced them with her own urine. Helen tells Laura that she and her children are not going to Brussels and will move into her rich lover's house as Brittas moves to Brussels alone.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7 |EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=UXB |Title=UXB
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|12|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|12|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Colin finds an unexploded ] bomb that is liable to explode. Meanwhile, Brittas prepares to leave for his job in Brussels, of which Helen immediately warms to upon seeing the luxiourious lifestyle they'll be leading, Carole is given a chance of happiness, and Laura announces her pregnancy and her plans to move to America with her husband, meaning that Gavin, and consequently Tim, are to accend to the vacant management positions. It seems as though it'll be a happy ending for all the staff at Whitbury, but Brittas is starting to get cold feet. |ShortSummary=Colin finds an ] ] bomb that is liable to explode. Brittas prepares to leave for his job in Brussels, to which Helen immediately warms upon seeing the luxurious lifestyle they will have. Carol, Julie, and Linda are given chances for happiness; and Laura announces her pregnancy and her plans to move to ] with her husband, meaning that Gavin, and consequently Tim, are to ascend to the vacant management positions. Just as a happy ending is in sight for all of the centre's staff, Brittas gets cold feet.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8 |EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=The Last Day |Title=The Last Day
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|19|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|19|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=It's Brittas's final day, but the cold feet continue, particularly as changing negotiations between the European nations arise. Elsewhere, a newly installed water tank is overfilled, and it begins falling through the floors of the leisure centre. Meanwhile Carole is stuck in Ben’s car in reception, which is the tank's final destination... and in saving Carole, it also turns out to be Brittas's. Is it game over for Brittas? Not if Heaven has a say in it! |ShortSummary= Brittas's cold feet continues on his final day, particularly after Germany reduces its financial contribution to ] funding. Carole tells Laura that she had her cupboard at work that she keeps her children in extended back to create a room, which Laura realises has been done by removing a supporting wall of the centre. A newly-installed water tank is overfilled and starts falling through the centre's floors. Carole is stuck in Ben's miniature car in reception--the tank's final destination. Brittas saves Carole at the last moment by pushing her out of the tank's path, seemingly being killed when it falls on him. He ascends to ], but is sent back to earth. Just after he is lowered into the ground in his coffin, he knocks on the inside of it and speaks.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=FEFE33
}} }}
|} |}


==Series 6 (1996)== ===Christmas special (1994)===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #FEFE33;"|No.
!style="background: #FEFE33;"|Title
!style="background: #FEFE33;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=Special
|Title=In the Beginning
|RTitle=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Set on ] 2019, Laura lives in ] and has a twentysomething son, Linda is a ] and Gavin is running for election as a ] ]. The old staff of the centre prepare to reunite again for their usual end-of-year celebrations. The audience are taken back to the early weeks of the centre's existence in December 1989 and January 1990, when the staff are snowed in. As a result, they are forced to spend ] and ] in the centre with limited food and heating.
|LineColor=FEFE33
}}
|}

===Series 6 (1996)===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!style="background: #FF642C;"|No.
!style="background: #FF642C;"|Title
!style="background: #FF642C;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Back With A Bang |Title=Back With A Bang
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|3|5|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|2|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=After extensive surgery following his accident, Gordon Brittas returns to Whitbury Leisure Centre, and a day early he's that eager! But he's under strict orders to remain relaxed...is that possible at Whitbury? Meanwhile, Carole is back behind reception after her hopes of happiness are dashed once again, and Penny, an attractive new staff member makes Tim jealous, due to Gavin paying her particular attention. Helen Brittas has escaped from her mental hospital and has spent all the life insurance money she received after Gordon's death. |ShortSummary=After extensive surgery in ] following his accident, Brittas returns to Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. Meanwhile, Carole is back behind reception after her hopes of happiness are dashed yet again; Gavin pays special attention to attractive new staff member Penny, making Tim jealous; and Helen has escaped from her mental hospital and spent all the life-insurance money she received after Gordon's death.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Body Language |Title=Body Language
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|3|12|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|3|12|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=After a large block of ice mysteriously crashes through the roof, a series of events leads to Colin believing that aliens have taken over the center. Meanwhile, Carole’s son Ben has a birthday party in his cupboard and Helen has accidentally sold her and Gordon's house, and moves her homely goods into the centre. |ShortSummary=After a large block of ice mysteriously crashes through the roof, events make Colin believe that aliens have taken over the Centre. Meanwhile, Carole's son Ben has a birthday party in his cupboard; and Helen moves all her household goods into the Centre after accidentally selling her and Gordon's house.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=At The Double |Title=At the Double
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|3|26|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|3|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= A circus group arrive at the centre, with one member a duplicate of Brittas, inevitably leading to confusion. |LineColor=FFFFff |ShortSummary= One member of a circus troupe that arrives at the Centre is a duplicate of Brittas, causing confusion.
|LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=A Walk On The Wildside |Title=A Walk on the Wild Side
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|2|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|2|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas believes there is a public right of way going through the centre, Helen realises she has two husbands and an outbreak of lethal diseases creates chaos. |ShortSummary=Brittas believes that a private right-of-way goes through the Centre; Helen realizes that she has two husbands; an outbreak of lethal diseases causes chaos. Meanwhile, a man who claims that he is the "Face In The Crowd" causes trouble by stealing a signboard concerning the aforesaid topic.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5 |EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=We All Fall Down |Title=We All Fall Down
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|9|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|9|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= It's "peace and hunger" week at the centre, but the children are in for a shock...literally! Tim is outraged upon discovering he gets paid less than everyone else, and he keeps the staff hostage in the rest room until Brittas meets his demands. |ShortSummary= During 'Peace and Hunger' week at the Centre, Tim, outraged to discover that he gets paid less than everyone else, holds the staff hostage in the rest room until Brittas meets his demands.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Mr Brittas Falls in Love |Title=Mr. Brittas Falls in Love
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|16|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|16|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Brittas organises a "dolphin day" at the centre, but as always disaster reigns when a baby tiger shark is delivered to the sports centre instead. The day worsens when a teenage girl arrives for two weeks of work experience and the staff believe she has been eaten. Meanwhile, Linda forms a protest rally outside of the center, opposed to the use of animals for personal amusement. |ShortSummary=Brittas organises a 'Dolphin Day' at the Centre, but a baby tiger shark is delivered there instead; a teenage girl arrives for two weeks of work experience, and the staff believe she has been eaten by the shark; opposed to the use of animals for personal amusement, Linda forms a protest rally outside the Centre.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7 |EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=Snap Happy |Title=Snap Happy
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|23|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|4|23|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The staff prepare for a photograph, however a chain or trivialities delays the event. Meanwhile apart from Gordon Brittas, Helen also hates heights, so she participates in a bungee jump which goes horribly wrong. |LineColor=CCFFCCf |ShortSummary=The staff prepare for a photograph, but a chain of trivialities delays the event; heights-hater Helen participates in a parachute jump that goes horribly wrong.
|LineColor=FF642C
}} }}
|} |}


==Series 7 (1997)== ===Christmas special (1996)===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|- |-
! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width=20|# !! style="background: #CCFFCC;"|Title !! style="background: #CCFFCC;" width="110"|Original airdate !style="background: #FF619E;"|No.
!style="background: #FF619E;"|Title
!style="background: #FF619E;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=Special
|Title=Surviving Christmas
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|12|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The staff unwillingly go on a Survival and Fitness trip with a vengeful actor on their trail. Meanwhile, a furious Helen believes Gordon is having an affair with Carole.
|LineColor=FF619E
}}
|}

===Series 7 (1997)===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!style="background: #FF619E;"|No.
!style="background: #FF619E;"|Title
!style="background: #FF619E;"|Original airdate
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1 |EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=The Elephant's Child |Title=The Elephants' Child
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|6|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|6|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Julie goes into labour, Colin has a large amount of manure delivered to the centre, and a bungee jump is prepared. Gavin and Tim are both scared of heights, but even more scared of each other knowing this. |ShortSummary=Julie goes into labour, Colin has a large amount of manure delivered to the centre, and a ] is prepared; Gavin and Tim are both scared of heights, but even more scared of each other knowing this.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2 |EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Reviewing The Situation |Title=Reviewing the Situation
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|13|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|13|df=y}} (9.62 million viewers <ref>link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59902654/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=f0dad8ca</ref>)
|ShortSummary=After receiving a series of death threats, Julie has hired a personal bodyguard. Meanwhile Tim Whistler is labelled as non-existent by Brittas; after showing his birth certificate it is revealed Tim is not who he seems. |ShortSummary= Julie hires a personal ] after receiving ]s. Brittas labels Tim nonexistent, and when Tim presents his ], it is revealed that he is not who he seems to be.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3 |EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=<nowiki>http://etc"</nowiki> <small>(]:this isn't a link, the title is "<nowiki>http://etc</nowiki>")</small> |Title=<nowiki>http://etc</nowiki>
|RTitle=<ref name="linkexplanation" group="n">This is not a website link, this is the title of the episode.</ref>
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|20|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|20|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Everything in the Centre is computerised, and the staff now feel the computer has taken over their jobs. In an attempt to convince Brittas to scrap the system they attempt to sabotage it, but things soon get out of control. |ShortSummary= Everything in the centre is computerised, and the staff now feel the computer has taken over their jobs; to convince Brittas to scrap the system, they attempt to ] it.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4 |EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Wake Up The Lion Within |Title=Wake Up the Lion Within
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|27|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|1|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Carole uses Brittas's "Waking up the lion within" technique to spawn an alter ego, which commands her to take control of the centre using any means necessary. This leads to the once tearful receptionist taking Brittas's job. |ShortSummary=Carole uses Brittas' 'waking up the lion within' technique to spawn an alter-ego that commands her to take control of the centre using any means necessary.
|LineColor=FF619E
|LineColor=FFFFff
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5 |EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=The Disappearing Act |Title=The Disappearing Act
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|3|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|3|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Julie’s niece goes missing after Colin supposedly makes her disappear; this is after he performed a magic trick for the little girl's birthday party, held at the centre. Meanwhile Helen hosts a dreams' workshop. |ShortSummary=Julie's niece goes missing after Colin supposedly makes her disappear during a ] at her ], held at the centre. Meanwhile, Helen hosts a dreams workshop.
|LineColor=FFFFff |LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6 |EpisodeNumber=6
|Title= Gavin Featherly RIP |Title=Gavin Featherly R.I.P.
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|10|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|10|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=After a staff holiday trip, evidence mounts up to suggest a troubled Gavin has committed suicide. Funeral preparations are made back at the centre, but Tim is shocked to receive a call from Gavin, who claims he has been abducted by pirates. |ShortSummary=After a staff holiday trip to Burbage-on-Sea (where Mr. Brittas and the staff went the previous year and the year before that), evidence mounts up to suggest that a troubled Gavin has committed ]. ] preparations are made at the centre, until Tim receives a call from Gavin, who claims he was abducted by ]s.
|LineColor=CCFFCCf |LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7 |EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=Exposed |Title=Exposed
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|17|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|17|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Brittas prepares for a TV documentary recording at the leisure centre, hiring a model to stand in for Colin. However a lethal disease breaks out causing chaos. |LineColor=CCFFCCf |ShortSummary= Brittas prepares for a television documentary recording at the Centre and hires a model to stand in for Colin. However, a lethal disease breaks out.
|LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
{{Episode list {{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8 |EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=Curse of the Tiger Women |Title=Curse of the Tiger Women
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|24|df=y}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|2|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The staff celebrate Whitbury New Town Leisure centre's anniversary, with a cake that Brittas made himself. Unfortunately, due to a gypsy curse placed upon him, everyone who has a piece ends up dead. Julie contemplates marriage, there is a build-up of marsh gas in the centre and Carole makes a devastating discovery. After being pecked unconscious by a bird, Brittas wakes up to a surprising revelation.|LineColor=CCFFCCf |ShortSummary=The staff celebrate the anniversary of the centre with a cake that Brittas made. Due to a ] ] placed upon him, everyone who has a piece dies shortly after eating it. Julie contemplates marriage, there is a build-up of marsh gas in the centre, and Carole makes a devastating discovery. After being pecked unconscious by a bird, Brittas wakes up on a train, with his wife, to find that him managing the centre was all a dream, and he is actually on his way to his ].
|LineColor=FF619E
}} }}
|} |}


* 5.30 million viewers on May 3, 1994<ref>link-gale-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/IF0502041471/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=481a4eb7</ref>
==Christmas Specials==

{| class="wikitable"
==Notes==
|-
<references group="n" />
! style="background: #FF0033;" width=20|# !! style="background: #FF0033;"|Title !! style="background: #FF0033;" width="110"|Original airdate
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Back To The Beginning
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1994|12|19|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Set in the future when the old staff of Whitbury Leisure Centre prepare to reunite again for New Year's Eve celebrations, the audience get taken back to the early weeks of the centre’s opening, when the staff get snowed in. As a result they spend Christmas and New Year in the centre with a limited food supply.
|LineColor=FFFFff
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Surviving Christmas
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|12|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=The staff unwillingly go on a survival and fitness trip. Meanwhile a furious Helen believes Gordon is having an affair with Carole.
|LineColor=FFFFff
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Children In Need Special
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1996|11|22|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=N/A
|LineColor=FFFFff
}}
|}


==References== ==References==
;General
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brittas-Empire-Complete-BBC-1-7/dp/B000A3OOQ8/ref=pd_sbs_d_h__title_1l |title=Product details|date=8 October 2007 |publisher=Amazon |access-date=2008-04-22}}
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* {{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brittas-Empire-Complete-BBC-1-7/dp/B000A3OOQ8/ref=pd_sbs_d_h__title_1l |title=product details|publisher=Amazon |accessdate=2008-04-22}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.valdefierro.com/brittas01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020614080354/http://www.valdefierro.com/brittas01.html |url-status=live |archive-date=2002-06-14 |title=Valdefierro episode guide|publisher=valdefierro |access-date=2008-04-22}}
*{{cite web |url=http://valdefierro.com/brittas01.htmll |title=valdefierro episode guide|publisher=valdefierro |accessdate=2008-04-22}}


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==External links==
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of The Brittas Empire Episodes}}
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This is a list of episodes, with synopses and airdates, of the British sitcom The Brittas Empire. It stars Chris Barrie as Gordon Brittas, the well-meaning but incompetent manager of a leisure centre in Southern England. It first aired between 1991 and 1997 on BBC1. It was created by Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss, who together co-wrote the first five series (1991–1996). A total of seven series and 52 episodes were created, including two Christmas specials (1994 and 1996) and two short sketches for Children In Need (in 1995 and 1996 respectively). Most of the main characters are in all episodes, but Laura is only in the first five series. Helen Brittas is in all but one episode (in series four); Linda does not appear in two episodes of the first series. Angie is only in series one, and her replacement is Julie, played by Judy Flynn, who is in all episodes from series two onwards, except for the 1996 Christmas special.

The cast appeared all in character for the Royal Variety Performance of 1996, and the success of the series has resulted in it being released on VHS and DVD by 2 Entertain, BBC Warner, and Eureka Video throughout the 1990s and 2000s. An audiobook, read by Barrie as Brittas, was also released.

Episodes

Series 1 (1991)

All episodes were filmed and produced in 1990.

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Laying the Foundations"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss3 January 1991 (1991-01-03)
Gordon Brittas arrives at Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre to find enthusiastic staff, but receptionist Carole is depressed. She gave birth three weeks ago and her husband left her for her best friend. Within minutes of arrival, Brittas brings along some very complicated rotas, which he refuses to change, upsetting the staff - one of whom tries to drop a table tennis table onto him. In reaction to Brittas' condescending attitude, the cleaner walks away. The builders react to Brittas by going on strike and pouring concrete into Brittas' car. Councillor Dapping soon regrets the council appointing Brittas as manager of the new leisure centre.
22"The Opening Day"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss10 January 1991 (1991-01-10)
The Duchess of Kent is to visit the centre on its first day open to the public. Brittas is determined for the day to run smoothly, but his wife Helen tries to warn Laura that disaster is guaranteed wherever her husband is. Helen is proven right when Brittas upsets the builders, causing them to abandon a leaking pool that soon floods into the boiler room; the heaters go on overdrive, the faulty automatic doors will not open, and Laura's friend Michael is electrocuted.
33"Bye Bye Baby"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss24 January 1991 (1991-01-24)
Carole's husband, who moved to Spain with his mistress, visits the centre to reunite with her. However, a misunderstanding involving a baby leads to him deciding not to return to her. Brittas' pedantry causes queues and complications in reception and drives to breaking point the guest speaker, who has arrived to give a talk on how to cope with stress.
44"Underwater Wedding"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss31 January 1991 (1991-01-31)
An underwater wedding is being held inside the centre, but the best man's finger is stuck in a grate at the bottom of the pool. Also, a drunk disabled man is on the loose in his electric wheelchair, and Brittas executes a plan involving cardboard boxes to catch him, which leads to Colin shooting Gavin with a harpoon gun and chlorine gas leaking throughout the building. Witness to the madness is 17-year-old jobseeker Beverley.
55"Stop Thief!"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss7 February 1991 (1991-02-07)
Brittas is convinced there is a thief amongst the staff, so he employs a series of methods to discover the culprit. After Simon ends their affair, Helen is desperate for more pills. However, the new doctor insists on meeting the cause of her depression--her husband--before giving her a prescription. After meeting Brittas, the doctor does not hesitate.
66"Assassin"Mike StephensAndrew Fegen and Richard Norriss14 February 1991 (1991-02-14)
Someone is out to kill Brittas--injuring Helen by accident after sabotaging Brittas' brakes--and wants Gavin to help him with the foul deed. Brittas and a few other people are taken to the hospital's intensive care unit, badly injured by a lorry hitting Brittas as he walked across a zebra crossing.

Series 2 (1992)

All episodes were filmed and produced in 1991.

No. Title Original airdate
1"Back from the Dead"2 January 1992 (1992-01-02)
The centre is quiet until it becomes known that Brittas is in Bulgaria, whereupon it becomes very busy. Helen arrives and informs the staff that Brittas was accidentally crushed to death in a steel press in Bulgaria. However, as the staff and Helen prepare for an easier life without him, the staff are all horrified when he walks through the centre's doors eight days after he left. He tells them that he was shut in a chicken coop. Still believing him to be dead, Helen prepares for her wedding. Carole faints in shock, and after a talk with Colin, believes Brittas is a zombie who wants her baby to gain eternal youth. This misunderstanding leads to Carole to crush Brittas' car using an excavator--whilst he is inside it.
2"Temple of the Body"9 January 1992 (1992-01-09) (10.06 million viewers)
Brittas is horrified to discover women's underwear in his office and is convinced that a staff member is using the facilities to have sex. He segregates the sexes and bugs Linda; the evidence gathered leads him to Gavin, whom Brittas is unaware is in a same-sex relationship with Tim. The real culprit is Helen, who discovers that Brittas had sex with Carole at a fancy-dress party, wrongly assuming her to have been Helen, because they were both wearing tiger costumes. Julie is being hounded by reporters for rescuing a dog from a river whilst topless.
3"An Inspector Calls"16 January 1992 (1992-01-16)
Brittas fears for his job when the Southern Area Inspector visits, fully aware that visiting figures are poor. Colin accidentally causes a pigeon to roost in the gymnasium, leading to a chain of chaotic trivialities that threaten the inspection. Meanwhile, insulted by a badly-chosen birthday gift (a moped with a yellow helmet reading 'Hi I'm Helen'), Helen decides to leave Brittas.
4"Set In Concrete"23 January 1992 (1992-01-23)
An extreme argument with the Rotary Club results in them setting Brittas' feet in concrete. After frequent arguments break out, Brittas think the centre has sick building syndrome. A specialist arrives, and Laura is tasked with explaining to Brittas that he is the cause of the centre's problems. Laura proceeds to explain subtext and tone of voice to Brittas, after which he decides to return the moped bought for Helen and buy her a car instead, to her delight. A stonemason arrives to remove the concrete using a chisel.
5"Mums and Dads"30 January 1992 (1992-01-30)
The centre is preparing for a concert by Vladimir Petrov, a visiting pianist from the Leningrad Conservatory. Brittas’ father Jim visits, telling Laura that he has always told Brittas that he has great ability and can achieve anything. Jim brings Brittas' late mother's piano which gets dropped, knocking the pianist unconscious. Brittas performs the concert himself, despite lacking musical ability.
6"Safety First"13 February 1992 (1992-02-13)
Brittas closes the centre for a series of fire drill exercises, while trying to convince Councillor Dapping to install a new fire escape. Helen prepares a special lunch in Brittas’ office to help save their marriage and even intends to give up the pills necessary to cope with him. Later, she accidentally starts a fire. The fire escape, which is designed to take eight people, collapses with 14 people on it.
7"New Generations"20 February 1992 (1992-02-20)
A pregnant cow loose in the centre eats some of Colin's leaves, which speed up labour; she gives birth on the squash courts, assisted by a gynaecologist. Carole has also eaten some of the leaves, and her twins are delivered by the vet who had come to assist the bovine mother-to-be. Helen tells Laura that she is pregnant with twins and that Brittas is the father of Carole's twins.

Series 3 (1993)

All episodes were filmed and produced in 1992.

No. Title Original airdate
1"The Trial"7 January 1993 (1993-01-07)
One of Brittas' enemies is coating random items with glue, and shady characters repeatedly appear in the centre. This leads to a massacre of several Bolivian drug dealers in the squash courts, the felling of several OAPs, and Brittas facing trial for drug running and multiple murders. After one of the criminals present at the time gives evidence at court, Brittas is acquitted.
2"That Creeping Feeling"14 January 1993 (1993-01-14)
Offended by Brittas' 'individual figure and fitness targets', the staff refuse to speak to him; his diplomatic response is it bring in a psychiatrist to check staff anxiety levels. The psychiatrist tells Brittas that he is the cause of his staff's stress. A deadly tropical spider bites Colin. Brittas sucks out the poison and Colin recovers.
3"Laura's Leaving"21 January 1993 (1993-01-21)
While Brittas prepares to welcome Sebastian Coe to the 'Expansion in the Leisure Market' conference, Laura is attending a job interview for manager of a leisure centre in London. Helen is terrified that without Laura, the centre will be unable to cope. Laura is offered the job, but decides to stay at Whitbury. A concussed Colin is sent to adjust the heating in the pool, leading to some pool users being electrocuted. Carole has moved her children back into the reception drawers.
4"Two Little Boys"28 January 1993 (1993-01-28)
Gordon's brother--Reverend Horatio Brittas--visits for the centre's anniversary celebrations, and 36 staff from a Guildford leisure centre visit for their annual staff outing. As usual, things go badly wrong: the centre's oil tank begins to leak and the leaked oil is brought inside and stored in the weights room to keep it from being struck by lightning--and a firework is accidentally set off in Brittas' office and streaks along the corridor to the weights room, resulting in a large explosion and fire.
5"Sex, Lies and Red Tape"4 February 1993 (1993-02-04)
Laura's estranged husband, Michael T. Farrell, arrives at the centre two and a half years after the couple split up. He wants her to have his child, because being a father is a condition of his inheriting his family's fortune. Brittas is unhappy and endeavours to get rid of him, despite being on a sponsored silence. He is horrified to learn that Helen is about to be charged with shoplifting and that she had been convicted of the same crime several times before she met him. The staff are interested in the draft of a novel that Carole has written.
6"The Stuff of Dreams"11 February 1993 (1993-02-11)
Troubled by dreams about his own mortality and the future of 'The Dream', Brittas is pushing age awareness and disguises himself as an elderly man as an experiment. The result is a fight in reception, during which Brittas breaks a pensioner's glasses. Helen, pregnant with twins, goes into labour early and needs to be rushed to the hospital. She had wanted Laura to drive her, but Brittas is behind the wheel. After the man whom Brittas fought accidentally drives into Brittas' car at low speed, medical students deliver the twin boys in Whitbury High Street.

Series 4 (1994)

All episodes were filmed and produced in 1993.

# Title Original airdate
1"Not A Good Day"10 January 1994 (1994-01-10)
It is Life Cycle Week at the centre, and Sebastian Coe has come to help promote the event. Unfortunately, confusion involving a troublesome child leads to Colin mistakenly chaining Coe to a railing and the centre being attacked by a Roman recreational society. Carole’s son Ben escapes from his cupboard.
2"The Christening"17 January 1994 (1994-01-17)
On the Brittas twins' christening day, Helen has misplaced them somewhere in town. Their vicar uncle Horatio arrives with an unpleasant fiancée who enjoys speaking her mind, and neither Helen nor Brittas get along with her.
3"Biggles Tells a Lie"24 January 1994 (1994-01-24)
To impress his daughter Stephanie, whom he has never met, Colin pretends to be manager of the centre and to have major achievements. She visits from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, while Brittas takes the day off. The staff, who were previously unaware of her existence, help him to keep up the pretence that he is what he claims to be. Brittas unexpectedly turns up, and disagrees with Colin's deception, but does not reveal the truth to Stephanie. A pornographic magazine featuring an explicit photo of Helen is found, which she prevents Brittas from seeing.
4"Mr. Brittas Changes Trains"31 January 1994 (1994-01-31)
Brittas is to attend an important dinner meeting but Helen, knowing it will be a disaster that she too will need to attend, develops lockjaw. After a staff visit to a hypnosis show, certain staff members show erratic behaviour (Colin tells people he loves them whenever he hears the word 'need'; Linda barks instead of speaking). When the hypnotist arrives to solve the problem, Brittas is accidentally hypnotised, making him a much better person - until its effects wear off at midnight.
5"Playing with Fire"7 February 1994 (1994-02-07)
Helen and the children have gone on holiday, leaving Brittas home alone. Gavin's former girlfriend Jennifer returns, intent on reconciling, which causes a rift in his relationship with Tim, but then they discover that Jen has escaped from a mental institution with a case of explosives. To participate in Energy Saving Week, Colin has created a generator powered by the centre's 'waste material'; Jen attaches Brittas to the generator and he is electrocuted.
6"Shall We Dance?"14 February 1994 (1994-02-14)
Helen is still away, and as Brittas and Laura grow closer, the staff spread rumours that they are having an affair; even more so when he announces he will be taking Laura to the annual staff dance. Her ex-husband Michael Farrell visits, desperate to reunite with her. Carole has invited her first boyfriend to the dance, who is intent on proposing marriage.
7"The Chop"28 February 1994 (1994-02-28)(9.0 million viewers)
Councillor Druggett arrives in another attempt to sack Brittas as manager of the centre. £300 is missing from petty cash, which Helen borrowed to buy a dog and things for it. Druggett gives Brittas an ultimatum: either he accepts responsibility for mismanaging the hotel and resigns, or his wife will be prosecuted. Helen has previous convictions and, fearing being imprisoned, she hides in the dog kennel. Brittas replaces the money, claiming he had taken it, and resigns.
8"High Noon"7 March 1994 (1994-03-07) (7.56 million viewers)
With a replacement manager for Brittas, the centre is busier than ever. But the new manager is untidy, disorganised, and apathetic, much to Brittas's disappointment. However, even as a visitor to the center, Brittas still manages to cause chaos: an accident involving a gas leak and a faulty clock causes an explosion and fire. After the centre is destroyed, Brittas is regarded as a hero. He is awarded a George Medal and offered his old job back.

Series 5 (1994)

All episodes were filmed and produced in 1994.

No. Title Original airdate
1"The Old, Old Story"31 October 1994 (1994-10-31)
Religious television series Songs of Praise visits the newly rebuilt centre for a live recording. But with Brittas back managing the centre, now crowned local hero after his heroic rescue of three children from the previous centre's fire, chaos soon resumes and an emu roams loose in the centre. Meanwhile, Counsellor Druggett is still intent on getting rid of Brittas, and an attractive new job in Brussels might make this possible.
2"Blind Devotion"7 November 1994 (1994-11-07)
Brittas tells Laura that he is going to sack Colin due to Colin's ineptitude. Colin arrives having been temporarily blinded in an accident. His great aunt - who raised him after his parents died - has died, and all of his money has been stolen by a man who has recently fled to Rio de Janeiro. The toilets are leaking gallons of human excrement. After Colin identifies and solves the problem, Brittas decides against firing him. Helen does not want to leave for Brittas' new job in Brussels.
3"Brussels Calling"14 November 1994 (1994-11-14)
Brittas visits Brussels in relation to the job he was offered, so things should be running smoothly at the centre. However, even hundreds of miles away, he still manages to cause a chain of problems involving rats and explosions. Helen is in trouble after trying to kill a teacher.
4"The Lies Have It"21 November 1994 (1994-11-21)
Attempting to cover up Helen’s affair, Laura’s husband Michael uses Carole’s birthday as an alibi, but the story becomes more complicated and contradictory throughout the day, and Brittas assumes that Michael is having an affair. Laura and Michael are pleased about her pregnancy. Tim is angry to discover that Gavin has been taking management courses.
5"The Boss"28 November 1994 (1994-11-28)
Brittas appoints Gavin to the position of manager for the day, faking a series of catastrophes to challenge Gavin's managerial skills. Helen has a recent tattoo altered. Carole's wealthy old gentleman friend arrives at the centre, where he is killed when a weightlifting weight is accidentally dropped on his head.
6"Pregnant"5 December 1994 (1994-12-05)
Confusion plagues the centre when Brittas claims that urine tests prove that 17 of the staff are pregnant, including Carole, Linda, a woman who has had a hysterectomy, three who are in their 70s and Tim. Julie is being unusually nice to Brittas. Carole thinks she is pregnant by Colin, so plans are made for them to marry. Julie admits that she dropped the samples and replaced them with her own urine. Helen tells Laura that she and her children are not going to Brussels and will move into her rich lover's house as Brittas moves to Brussels alone.
7"UXB"12 December 1994 (1994-12-12)
Colin finds an unexploded World War II bomb that is liable to explode. Brittas prepares to leave for his job in Brussels, to which Helen immediately warms upon seeing the luxurious lifestyle they will have. Carol, Julie, and Linda are given chances for happiness; and Laura announces her pregnancy and her plans to move to America with her husband, meaning that Gavin, and consequently Tim, are to ascend to the vacant management positions. Just as a happy ending is in sight for all of the centre's staff, Brittas gets cold feet.
8"The Last Day"19 December 1994 (1994-12-19)
Brittas's cold feet continues on his final day, particularly after Germany reduces its financial contribution to European Union funding. Carole tells Laura that she had her cupboard at work that she keeps her children in extended back to create a room, which Laura realises has been done by removing a supporting wall of the centre. A newly-installed water tank is overfilled and starts falling through the centre's floors. Carole is stuck in Ben's miniature car in reception--the tank's final destination. Brittas saves Carole at the last moment by pushing her out of the tank's path, seemingly being killed when it falls on him. He ascends to heaven, but is sent back to earth. Just after he is lowered into the ground in his coffin, he knocks on the inside of it and speaks.

Christmas special (1994)

No. Title Original airdate
Special"In the Beginning"27 December 1994 (1994-12-27)
Set on New Year's Eve 2019, Laura lives in Chicago and has a twentysomething son, Linda is a vicar and Gavin is running for election as a Conservative MP. The old staff of the centre prepare to reunite again for their usual end-of-year celebrations. The audience are taken back to the early weeks of the centre's existence in December 1989 and January 1990, when the staff are snowed in. As a result, they are forced to spend Christmas and New Year in the centre with limited food and heating.

Series 6 (1996)

No. Title Original airdate
1"Back With A Bang"27 February 1996 (1996-02-27)
After extensive surgery in Switzerland following his accident, Brittas returns to Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. Meanwhile, Carole is back behind reception after her hopes of happiness are dashed yet again; Gavin pays special attention to attractive new staff member Penny, making Tim jealous; and Helen has escaped from her mental hospital and spent all the life-insurance money she received after Gordon's death.
2"Body Language"12 March 1996 (1996-03-12)
After a large block of ice mysteriously crashes through the roof, events make Colin believe that aliens have taken over the Centre. Meanwhile, Carole's son Ben has a birthday party in his cupboard; and Helen moves all her household goods into the Centre after accidentally selling her and Gordon's house.
3"At the Double"26 March 1996 (1996-03-26)
One member of a circus troupe that arrives at the Centre is a duplicate of Brittas, causing confusion.
4"A Walk on the Wild Side"2 April 1996 (1996-04-02)
Brittas believes that a private right-of-way goes through the Centre; Helen realizes that she has two husbands; an outbreak of lethal diseases causes chaos. Meanwhile, a man who claims that he is the "Face In The Crowd" causes trouble by stealing a signboard concerning the aforesaid topic.
5"We All Fall Down"9 April 1996 (1996-04-09)
During 'Peace and Hunger' week at the Centre, Tim, outraged to discover that he gets paid less than everyone else, holds the staff hostage in the rest room until Brittas meets his demands.
6"Mr. Brittas Falls in Love"16 April 1996 (1996-04-16)
Brittas organises a 'Dolphin Day' at the Centre, but a baby tiger shark is delivered there instead; a teenage girl arrives for two weeks of work experience, and the staff believe she has been eaten by the shark; opposed to the use of animals for personal amusement, Linda forms a protest rally outside the Centre.
7"Snap Happy"23 April 1996 (1996-04-23)
The staff prepare for a photograph, but a chain of trivialities delays the event; heights-hater Helen participates in a parachute jump that goes horribly wrong.

Christmas special (1996)

No. Title Original airdate
Special"Surviving Christmas"24 December 1996 (1996-12-24)
The staff unwillingly go on a Survival and Fitness trip with a vengeful actor on their trail. Meanwhile, a furious Helen believes Gordon is having an affair with Carole.

Series 7 (1997)

No. Title Original airdate
1"The Elephants' Child"6 January 1997 (1997-01-06)
Julie goes into labour, Colin has a large amount of manure delivered to the centre, and a bungee jump is prepared; Gavin and Tim are both scared of heights, but even more scared of each other knowing this.
2"Reviewing the Situation"13 January 1997 (1997-01-13) (9.62 million viewers )
Julie hires a personal bodyguard after receiving death threats. Brittas labels Tim nonexistent, and when Tim presents his birth certificate, it is revealed that he is not who he seems to be.
3"http://etc"20 January 1997 (1997-01-20)
Everything in the centre is computerised, and the staff now feel the computer has taken over their jobs; to convince Brittas to scrap the system, they attempt to sabotage it.
4"Wake Up the Lion Within"27 January 1997 (1997-01-27)
Carole uses Brittas' 'waking up the lion within' technique to spawn an alter-ego that commands her to take control of the centre using any means necessary.
5"The Disappearing Act"3 February 1997 (1997-02-03)
Julie's niece goes missing after Colin supposedly makes her disappear during a magic trick at her birthday party, held at the centre. Meanwhile, Helen hosts a dreams workshop.
6"Gavin Featherly R.I.P."10 February 1997 (1997-02-10)
After a staff holiday trip to Burbage-on-Sea (where Mr. Brittas and the staff went the previous year and the year before that), evidence mounts up to suggest that a troubled Gavin has committed suicide. Funeral preparations are made at the centre, until Tim receives a call from Gavin, who claims he was abducted by pirates.
7"Exposed"17 February 1997 (1997-02-17)
Brittas prepares for a television documentary recording at the Centre and hires a model to stand in for Colin. However, a lethal disease breaks out.
8"Curse of the Tiger Women"24 February 1997 (1997-02-24)
The staff celebrate the anniversary of the centre with a cake that Brittas made. Due to a gypsy curse placed upon him, everyone who has a piece dies shortly after eating it. Julie contemplates marriage, there is a build-up of marsh gas in the centre, and Carole makes a devastating discovery. After being pecked unconscious by a bird, Brittas wakes up on a train, with his wife, to find that him managing the centre was all a dream, and he is actually on his way to his job interview.
  • 5.30 million viewers on May 3, 1994

Notes

  1. ^ This is one of the two episodes the character "Linda" does not appear in.
  2. This is not a website link, this is the title of the episode.

References

General
Specific
  1. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A171114124/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=70f6b8a8
  2. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A170755640/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=a17bf989
  3. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A170755640/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=a17bf989
  4. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59902654/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=f0dad8ca
  5. link-gale-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/IF0502041471/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=481a4eb7

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