In a recent interview for The Guardian (30th March 2023) Alison Steadman recalled filming of The Singing Detective (1986). The series, which was a tour de force, featured Potter's by then trade mark 'sing and dance' routines with actors lip synching to popular songs of the 1930s and 40s, and multiple intersecting story lines. Steadman played Mrs Marlow, mother of the young Phillip, who would become the author of hard boiled detective stories including The Singing Detective. Steadman, and co-stars Patrick Malahide and Jim Carter are well remembered in the village of Berry Hill where they relaxed with local extras in between scenes. In the scene that Steadman recalls, young Phillip witnesses his mother's extra marital liaison amongst the ferns with family friend Mark Binney (Malahide). The scene became notorious, not least because legal action was taken against Mary Whitehouse for suggesting it was a scene the young Potter had himself in reality witnessed. In the recent interview, and unfortunately making the headline quote for it, Steadman remembered filming the scene in the 'New Forest'. John Belcher worked with location manager Mike Darbon, helping to find suitable Forest locations for filming, and confirms that no, it was most definitely not filmed in the New Forest, but indeed in the Forest of Dean. With your prolific, brilliant career, and your fantastic performances in Dennis Potter's work - we forgive you Alison!
