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New Tricks - 15 Dark Secrets Even Die-Hard Fans Never Knew!

Brit Rewind

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🔍 New Tricks was once the most-watched programme on British television—but behind the hit BBC drama lies a story filled with cast departures, public arguments and falling ratings.

In this video, we uncover 15 dark and surprising secrets even die-hard New Tricks fans may never have known. Discover why James Bolam, Amanda Redman and Alun Armstrong left, how Dennis Waterman reacted to the changing cast, and why the BBC ultimately cancelled the series. 📺

We also reveal:
How New Tricks began as a one-off drama
Why Dennis Waterman sang the theme tune
How Little Britain turned him into a national joke
The public clash between the actors and writers
The dramatic ratings drop after the original cast departed
Why the BBC pulled an episode shortly before broadcast
How the final series ended without a single original cast member

Which version of the UCOS team was your favourite? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Subscribe to Brit Rewind for more forgotten stories, classic British television and behind-the-scenes secrets. 🇬🇧📺
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20 Comments

@sandranaylor2348 1 month ago

The original cast were fantastic

@SoberOKMoments 1 month ago

Best show ever. Much missed by all of us who are "old and grey.".

@tnlarkspur60 1 month ago

I have watched this more than once and will go back again.

@murielfitzpatrick7419 2 weeks ago

A great show fab actors. Still watch the old shows. 🥰

@ChristineVella-uq7nl 2 weeks ago

Fantastic show. Amanda Redman has one of the nicest smiles ever I think. Her face lights up.

@sharonwilliams3304 2 weeks ago

Love this series. Loved the original cast but also the new ones. Sad to see it end. But I still rewatch every year.

@barb7014 1 month ago

I discovered New Tricks a few years ago on Brit Box; and rewatch the original cast episodes every couple of years. It’s BRILLIANT!

@susanlewis1875 1 month ago

I remember Lyndhurst from Butterflies. ❤

@Mariposa_46 4 weeks ago

We own the complete set on DVD.

@johnwalsh4998 1 month ago

I loved this show.

@gillianr-w8720 1 month ago

I loved new tricks and thank goodness for repeats. ❤

@cheeseKransky-42 1 month ago

Much appreciated in Australia

@petefl1818 10 days ago

New Tricks was one of those programs that got the casting right from the beginning. The problem was when casting changes were made no matter how good the replacements were, and they were very good replacements it just wasn't the "New Tricks" we enjoyed so much. Sometimes it's just better to stop.

@barefootcontessa3112 1 month ago

I loved New Tricks, but stopped watching when the cast made the big change. The new cast just didn’t gel as well.

@TheShanampan 1 month ago

It ended for the same reason that James bolan left, it ran out of credible stories. Once he left the series died.

@michaeljohnangel6359 1 month ago

I LOVED New Tricks, and hated when it ended. That said, it was best with its original cast.

@alexlabedat9105 11 days ago

also i feel with denis lawson turning up some scripts were written for bolam and redid scripts

@alanbennett2140 1 month ago

The theme tune was re written by Moran the original that was used in the first episode (end of the line) was written by the travelling Wilbury's i.e. George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison although you are correct it was sung by Waterman.

@CarolStollorz 3 weeks ago

Frankly, I live on the West Coast of California in Monterey County. I joined late in the series, but found the solid characterizations of each actor's personality, truly interesting. They were dependable and predictable, and then a quirk causes a change that throws the group dynamic off. Along with good story lines, the series was fun to watch, along with the whiplash created by the beautiful blonde lead detective, whose activities stir her team, again and again.