What a load of crap.

Hello and welcome to series 2 episode six episode review (part one).

In this first of two episodes Phil and Ben go to Mel's 21st Birthday party. There's some much detail and subtext in this episode that we've had to put it into two parts.

So expect, well a lot of love for the cast, the writing, juxtaposition, Easter eggs, and TICK TOCK.

We hope you enjoy and see you soon for part two.

To The Regiment (TICK TOCK)

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Firstly, apologies for the long wait on this one. One thing or another just halted proceedings.

But we're back to discuss the second half of episode five series two.

So expect, drama, shots of single malt, and Tommy stealing the scene, again.

We also speak about Phil's one man shows coming up. You can get tickets here, if you're quick.

https://lowtherpavilion.co.uk/shows/phil-mealey-early-doors-behind-the-bar-and-beyond/

https://www.stockportgarrick.co.uk/whats-on/productions/phil-mealey-early-doors

https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/phil-mealey/

https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/events/phil-mealey-early-doors-behind-the-bar-and-beyond-2026/

https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/phil-mealey/

Mel's 21st coming very soon, you might even say in two weeks when it should be.

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In this episode Phil and Ben discuss series two, episode five. But only to a point. The conversation kind of went on a bit. So we're putting it out in two episodes this time.

There's a lot of set up in this episode getting ready for Mel's 21st.

There's plenty of talk about The Great Escape by I am Kloot, getting prepped for asking a girl out, and your mam braking your mojo.

Finally, this episode is dedicated to friend of the podcast and the heart and soul of Early Doors, Lorraine Cheshire. A lot of memories, lovely photos, and tributes from cast members and beyond are all on socials. Please do check them out, Lorraine was (rightly so) loved by so many people and certainly in this community of people. All of love to John and her family.

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Welcome to To The Regiment and our review of series two episode four.

This week we ask the big questions, go for a chippy tea, pay the phone bill with a lump in your throat, and Tommy get's a new job.

Sorry for the little delay on this one. Let's blame tech.

See you soon for a episode five of series two, double header. A lot to talk about there.

RIP Mani. Adored.

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Hello and welcome to To The Regiment.

This week Phil and Ben are talking about episode three of series two. We're at the quiz and this is rambling conversation about this episode, the background to it, and putting the world to right a little.

Anyway, I think the answer is Con Carne Eddie...

Enjoy.

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In this episode Phil and Ben talk about series two, episode two.

So expect, eggs in a cup but don't rub on your chest, jury duty that we can't talk about, someone on 40 GRAND, and our first Fray Bentos pie.

Quite a lot happens in this one that sticks in The Grapes lore.

We hope you enjoy.

40 GRAND!!!!!

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In this episode Phil and Ben are back at the Grapes to talk about the first episode of the second series.

We speak about changes in the writing, the personal, and why certain things feel a little different.

No spoilers but there are some very interesting nuggets, as ever.

Thank you for listening and as mentioned in the episode. Get in touch via the socials or earlydoorspod@gmail.com

See you in two weeks.

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Right, let's just get back into it.

Thank you for listening and continuing to support the podcast.

To The Regiment...

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In this episode we are pleased and overjoyed to go through the 1966 England team with the wonderful and glorious Susan McArdle.

This is part one of our conversation with Susan (as we spoke for quite a while). We have a lovely all directions chat with Susan about her life in Early Doors, playing Nicola, dancing with Kylie, and so much more.

We hope you enjoy and come back on THURSDAY for part two.

They think it's all over...

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Phil and Ben are back for series two of To The Regiment. Yes we know. It's been a while. But you can't rush brilliance.

In this episode Ben asks the questions and Phil gives us the answers of what happened in between series one and series two.

We've got some great episodes coming up this series, and some great interviews.

TO THE REIGMENT...

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This time Phil and Ben are talking to radio's very own Mark Radcliffe, and Manchester music scene's Paul Langley, also known as UNE. They are also know for creating our theme music.

In this episode we hear about the beginnings of their friendship, their music UNE, and the Devilled the song you hear at the start of each episode of the podcast, as a well as a rambling chat about everything, including Peter Gabriel, what a treat.

See you tomorrow for the last of our week of treats.

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Anyway, here we are with part two of our chat about the Queen of Sheba. This time Phil and Ben get into the episode, a bit like the Early Doors episodes we do.

There's a lot of love to the wonderful acting, great writing, and quick cameos.

We hope you enjoy this episode and we will back, again, tomorrow for Special Guests Mark Radcliffe from that there radio and Paul Langley who knows everyone in the music business, A.K.A UNE.

See you tomorrow.

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In this episode Phil and Ben talk about Phil's time working on the Bafta winning Queen of Sheba for The Royle Family.

This is just part one, so we only go through the background to Phil working on it and some stories from the set.

We hope you enjoy this little change of pace from Early Doors episodes.

To The Regiment... My Arse

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This is the first episode in a short run of extra bonus Christmas treats, with very little if anything to do with Christmas.

In this first episode Phil and Ben talk about some of the stories that Phil has from his time in the entertainment business, the people he's met, the places he's been, the stories you'd tell an a party. Maybe at the buffet.

I hope you enjoy and well, we'll see you tomorrow.

To The Regiment

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We've been away but not for long. You can't keep a good podcast down.

Here is a little trailer of what is to come next week.

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This week we are saying goodbye to series one of the podcast and series one of Early Doors.

Phil and Ben have a little round up but also just a general chat.

Thank you to everyone who has listened, told everyone to listen, been a guest, got it touch, asked a question.

We will have mini series around Christmas before we get into series two and the rest of the cast. And maybe a surprise run soon.

To The Regiment...

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This week we have our last interview and last full episode of series one. But don't worry we will be back next week for a round and what's coming soon.

But in this episode we are thrilled to have our other boy in blue Peter 'Nige' Wight. Phil and Ben caught up with Peter last week making this the quickest turn around of a record to release ever. They spoke about his time working on Early Doors, building a relationship with James Quinn, Early Doors stories and a bit of acting chat as well.

Thank you to Peter for coming on to the podcast but also a very special thank you to Peter's daughter who helped with tech issues at Peter's end.

Finally thank you for listening and we will see you in two weeks of the end of series one chat.

To The Regiment...

p.s - listen out for an easter egg at the end.

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This week Ben and Phil talk about the last episode of series one. But don't worry it's not the last episode of this series of the podcast.

So this is the episode, well the day out, we've been leading up to. All the talk of the Big Boys Beano and it's here. Breakfast in the pub, nice shirts, cigars, impressions, plenty of beer, loads of craic, and then the most... well I won't spoil the ending.

At lot of hidden gems and behind in the scenes in this episode. So please enjoy.

Thank you for listening and we will see you in two weeks for the last interview of the series. All being well with diaries that is.

TO THE REGIMENT...

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In this episode we got some questions from you, the listeners, from Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram. Some we may have covered but we cover in more detail or some Ben had just missed.

We will be doing this again soon because these questions came in before we even released the first episode (we think). And our fan base has certainly grown.

Thank you again for all your support and I promise we will be going on the Big Boy's Beano next time.

To The Regiment...

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In this episode Ben and Phil have a daft laugh going through episode five of series one. Maybe the sun was out or it was a Friday when the episode was recorded but they seemed very 'ready for the pub'.

They look at episode five of series one which has a lot of Ben's two favourite things, juxtaposition and Easter eggs. For the record Ben isn't clever enough to be throwing juxtaposition around lightly but must have seen it on a word a day toilet roll. Regardless, this episode does have a lot of contrast, heart, and lovely Easter eggs that develop the show, the series and the characters. They even speak about Minor Chords at one point as well.

We hope you enjoy and apologies for Ben writing and continuing to write in the third person.

See you in two weeks, were you will be interviewing Phil.

To The Regiment...

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This is one of our special guest episodes and we are thrilled to welcome Maxine Peake to the podcast.

Maxine played Janice in the first series, the cool, street wise, tantastic, and baby mamma (apparently) of a little tremble in Ladbroke's doorway.

We speak to Maxine about getting the role, playing Janice, the importance of the pub in our communities and so much more.

Thank you to Maxine for coming on the show and thank you to Holli who helped set up this interview.

Tank you all again for listening. We hope you enjoyed it. See you in two weeks.

To The Regiment...

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In this episode we're back looking at each episode getting the inside look with Phil. The Grapes itself in this episode is a completely different place. For one, it's packed. But it's a Friday night, Joe and Duffy are standing at the bar (and we discover why), Winnie is in with her husband, Tommy is in the same seat, and there's much more drinking.

We also see a very wet James McAvoy who apparently ruined Ibiza.

Thank you as always for listening, telling your friends, and your support.

Listen out for a special guest at the end.

To The Regiment...

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This week we very excited to welcome another guest to The virtual Grapes. We are very excited to welcome the delightful and lovely Susan 'Tanya' Cookson to our show. The love interest of our favourite show.

Phil, Ben, and Susan talk about Susan landing the role, being part of the kit fit girls gang, the off screen camaraderie with the entire cast at the V and A, and so much more.

As ever, this is such a joy to listen too.

Thank you for listening, telling your mates, supporting the show and everything else.

To The Regiment... see you in two weeks.

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In this episode we are jumping back into talking about series one and this time episode three. This episode is the first time we don't start with people (Tommy) getting there for opening, Liam gets busted, Eddie and Tommy sneak a peak, and the coppers, well they need to settle their nerves.

Phil and Ben also, as ever, talk about some behind the scenes gems as we get to know even more about The Grapes, Early Doors, and this amazing show.

Look out for a special guest at the end.

Thank you for listening, downloading, telling your friends, and your amazing and kind comments.

To The Regiment...

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Hello and Welcome to, To The Regiment: The Early Doors Podcast with Phil Mealey.

This week we very excited to welcome another guest to our virtual Grapes. We are thrilled to have one half of our boys in blue and someone with an incredible laugh... James Quinn.

Phil, Ben, and James talk about James landing the role, working closely with Peter Wight as his partner in crime (apologies), the off screen camaraderie with the entire cast, and so much more.

Remember, Crime Can't Crack Itself.

Thank you for listening, telling your mates, supporting the show and everything else.

To The Regiment... see you in two weeks.

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In this episode Ben and Phil are back to discuss the Early Doors episodes and get a behind the scenes look at how the show was made, behind the scenes stories, probably some chat about last season football, and I think Ben was off to see Pulp that night.

Phil and Ben talk about episode two of series one, we get more on the Big Boys Beano, we meet Liam for the first time, and hear about the best dinner under £5, all on an oval plate.

Thank you again for listening and letting people know about the show. We really appreciate it.

Next week, well you'll have to listen for an Easter Egg at the end of the episode. Special Guest Number Two incoming.

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In this episode we speak to one half of the heart of Early Doors, Lorraine Cheshire AKA Joan Bell. Phil and Ben caught Lorraine over zoom last year. For those trying to date the recordings by football chat, Phil had just seen Man United lose at Wembley.

We talk about her life in the Grapes, working across from Mark Benton as her on screen husband Eddie, being the heart of the show, and the legacy the show has given her. And a lot more.

Thank you for listening, we hope you enjoy it and remember to tell your friends who may not have heard about the podcast yet. And also give Lorraine a message on Twitter/X to show the love.

See you in two weeks when Phil and Ben get back into the episodes with Series One Episode Two.

TO THE REGIMENT...

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In this episode we pick the conversation back up between Phil and Ben and get into the story of the first episode. We learn some behind the scenes stories, how Phil and Craig developed the first episode to set the scene for the rest of the series, and much more.

The big question is though, are they all modern loco's or steam diesels. You'll have to listen to find out.

Thank you for downloading. Remember to find us on X and Instagram. Join the 'To The Regiment' Facebook and follow @earlydoorsclips on X. They've great in supporting us launch the podcast.

Listen to the end for a teaser for the next episode.

TO THE REGIMENT...

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In this episode Phil and Ben discuss the first episode of the first series of your favourite sitcom. As we get into it, turns out we like to talk and love to discuss the show. So this is part one of a chat around episode one. We mainly discuss the characters in this first part and next time we get into the episode itself.

There are insights and behind the scenes talk about the characters, the casting, rehearsals, Giro Jim, and much more.

We hope you enjoy it and please get in touch. Please pass the podcast on to your Early Doors friends.

To The Regiment...

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In this short episode we take you through how this came about, what to expect, where to subscribe, remind you too many times to tell your friends, and generally just welcome you to our new podcast. All about Early Doors.

We hope you enjoy it, please get in touch at earlydoorspod@gmail.com, follow us on X and Instagram, both @earlydoorspod and always remember...

TO THE REGIMENT - I WISH I WAS THERE

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In this first episode we welcome you to The Grapes, a fictional pub where the Landlord Ken and his daughter Melanie welcome regulars, Joe, Duffy, Tommy, Eddie, Joan, Tanya (although she also works behind the bar), Debbie, Janice, and Nicola for a few swift ones before missing their tea, getting in bother with the wife or something else in their daily life. Jean is upstairs making sure everything is in order with her long suffering cleaner Winnie. And we get visited by Phil and Nige, Greater Manchester's finest boys in blue. We will also find Mel's boyfriends in trouble from time to time.

This first episode is an intro into this world, Phil and Ben, but mainly Phil will take you through how the show got started, the writing, the casting, the characters, and generally just a lovely chat about a world wonderful pub with wonderful people.

Please get in touch at earlydoorspod@gmail or on X and Instagram @earlydoorspod. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from and tell your friends.

TO THE REGIMENT - I WISH I WAS THERE.

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