A Ticket Too Far on Vimeo

You can now watch A Ticket Too Far on Vimeo courtesy of Adnan Hemani, the film's directory of photography. This hard-to-find short film from 2006 stars Joe Armstrong as Ray, a traffic warden on his first day on the job. Alun Armstrong makes an appearance as Ray's Dad, who worries what the neighbours will think of his son's disgraceful profession.

Thanks to Magpie & Whale for discovering this hidden treasure!

DVD set of The Squirrels

Network DVD has released a DVD set of The Squirrels, with all 22 surviving episodes out of the original 29. The Region 2 (UK/Europe) DVD is available from Network DVD or from Amazon UK.

Alun Armstrong guest starred in two episodes as different characters. One of them, "Shoulder to Shoulder" from 1977, is included on this set. Alun plays Sweeney, a tattooed car mechanic who's after Rex for the money he owes him. Rex and his co-workers go on strike for pay rises, and things take a curious turn when the boss, Mr Fletcher, calls in Sweeney to deal with Rex.

Unfortunately, Alun's other episode, "The Favourite" from 1975, is not on this set and therefore appears to be lost. A PDF file of the script is included on disc 1.

Bedtime re-released on DVD 

All three series of Bedtime have been released by Acorn Media as a box set. The series follows the bedtime conversations of people living in adjacent houses on a suburban London street. Alun Armstrong stars in series 2 as a recently widowed father who has difficulties dealing with his teenage son Ralph, played by Adam Paul Harvey. Sienna Miller also appears as Ralph's girlfriend.  

The Region 2 (UK/Europe) DVD box set can be ordered directly from Acorn Media or from Amazon UK. The individual series are now out of print on DVD, though used copies can be found.

This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper out on DVD 

The previously unreleased 2000 television film This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper is now available on DVD. Alun Armstrong stars as George Oldfield, who led the search for the notorious serial killer for four years until his health deteriorated under the strain of the investigation. Armstrong was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for his portrayal.

The Region 2 (UK/Europe) DVD can be ordered from Amazon UK.

New Tricks Series 10 coming this autumn

Series 10 of New Tricks will be broadcast in Autumn 2013, starting with a special two-part episode set in Gibraltar. This will be the last series with Alun Armstrong, who has decided to leave the show. He will appear in the first four episodes. Nicholas Lyndhurst is joining the cast as a new member of the team. Amanda Redman is also departing, to be replaced by Tamzin Outhwaite.

Armstrong has played Brian Lane since the show's pilot in 2003. He said, "I have enjoyed every minute and will miss it and everyone involved greatly. It has been one big happy family, for everyone who has been part of the team, right from the very first pilot series. Although very sad to leave, I am looking forward with excitement to the new challenges the future offers."

The Region 2 (UK/Europe) DVD of Series 9 is out now and can be ordered at Amazon UK. The Region 1 (US/Canada) DVD of Series 9 will be released on 25 June 2013 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.