Season 2 • Episode 7
LatestRay's scrooge-like approach to Christmas changes dramatically when he receives a bit of good news, but the staff have their own problems to deal with. Martin's mother, Sandy's pen-pal and Mary's family all put obstacles in the way of a happy festive season, while Ray has to make a life-changing decision.
Eyes Down is a comedy starring Paul O'Grady as Ray Temple, the manager of a bingo hall in Liverpool, England called The Rio, although the series was filmed in Rayners Lane in London. Although it had moderate ratings, the programme only lasted for two series until it was cancelled by the BBC in 2004. The show was written by Angela Clarke and directed by Christine Gernon.
Acting
Paul O'Grady's timing is surgical—campy, cutting, never cruel.
Production
That fake Liverpool bingo hall has more soul than most real ones.
Creator
Angela Clarke
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Paul O'Grady based Ray Temple partly on his own mother, a devout bingo player.
This quietly preserved working-class bingo culture right before halls started vanishing across Britain—now basically a time capsule.
GB
