Back in 1983 when Auf Wiedersehen, Pet first aired, many people thought Central Television were taking a big risk, I mean, who would want to watch a TV show all about bricklayers?A couple of the supporting cast were among the detractors, but they were all proved wrong, when on November 11th 1983, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet first aired to an audience of millions, going on to achieve an average of 14 million for the first series. It was an instant hit, and turned many of the unknown cast into overnight sensations.In 1986, a second series was aired, going on to be one of the biggest hits of the year, with a peak of nearly 17 million viewers for one episode. The second series was blighted by tragedy, when Gary Holton died during the filming of the latter stages. After a very short break, it was quickly re-written, and a stand in double was used for shots where Gary Holtons character Wayne had to be. In other shots, Wayne was simply written out of the scene, and this is very notable in many of the Spanish interiors, which were some of the last to be filmed. The show had a hiatus of 15 years, and then returned to our screens in 2002, and twice in 2004.For many, including myself, this is one of the greatest, if not the greatest TV drama ever made. It had everything, not only down to the great writing, but the actors too, who created an on screen chemistry which has not been seen since. The closest we have seen in my opinion is Mad Dogs, which airs on Sky1. The show made us laugh and cry, and had touches of laugh out loud moments, that could also make you realise this was almost like watching a documentary.I will be watching Auf Wiedersehen, Pet for many years to come, it's an absolute joy, and it is also part of my life.

One of the classic series of the 1980s, 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' works well as an ensemble piece, with every character complementing the other - Dennis, the sensible one (Tim Healy), Neville, the nervous one (Kevin Whatley), Barry, the dumb one (Timothy Spall), Oz, the crazy one (Jimmy Nail), Bomber, the tough one (Pat Roach), Wayne, the horny one (Gary Holton), and Moxey, the boring one (Christopher Fairbank). They're brickies on a building site in Dusseldorf, and the interest comes in watching them survive being thrown together.Two series appeared in the early eighties, with the series being curtailed by Holton's untimely death during recording of series 2. Almost every episode was a winner - laughs, pathos, camaderie, and a real sense of liking of the characters involved. Well written, with a pair of great theme tunes (sung by Joe Fagin), and a good cast of supporting actors (Michael Elphick turns up now and then, Ray Winstone plays an army man AWOL), this drama really couldn't miss.And the final couple of series reunited all the characters (bar Wayne - we saw his son Wyman, instead) for more laughs and an ultimately touching finale. Highly recommended and, surprisingly, not dated at all.

I remember watching the first series of this as a 12 year old boy with my parents and loving every minute of it. 20 years later I own all four series on DVD and still enjoy them as much as I did the first time round. Lets be honest, how many programmes can we honestly say that about?The first series was pure genius. Relatively unknown actors proving you don't need big names to make some of the most watchable, amusing and heartwarming television around. Since then of course many of the actors have gone on to be household names.The second series was also great, probably as good as it could ever have hoped to be. The third and fourth series in my opinion aren't as good and I feel have suffered by moving to the BBC. They seem too clean cut and professional, something the lads were never intended to be. However, I still find them very watchable, but that is mainly down to the characters created in the early 1980's.I doubt there'll be any more episodes now that bomber (the wonderfully understated Pat Roach) is no longer with us. To me this is the end of a TV era.

I can't remember how many times i've watched the three series made so far, with it's excellent humour and superb drama, it's an outstanding idea with that something extra, leading the cast is Timothy Spall playing the fantastic Brummie Barry, Jimmy Nail as the tireless Oz and Denis Patterson played by Tim Healey, this program will never age or lose its appeal.