The Hazell books were written by P B Yuill. The pseudonym turned out to be two people. Gordon Williams the writer of the story which formed the basis of the controversial film, Straw Dogs.

The other was former England, Barcelona and Spurs manager, Terry Venables.

Hazell was memorably played by Nicholas Ball. A cockney wisecracking Philip Marlowe. A former policeman who left under murky circumstances and a dodgy ankle.

The first episode sees Hazell pretending to be a television researcher. He has been hired to find out more about the Abrey family and their young flamed haired daughter. Hazell also manages to charm Mrs Abrey into bed.

However it soon transpires that the glamorous American based client, Georgina Gunning thinks that their children were mixed up when they gave birth at the hospital by a drunk nurse.

Obviously Mrs Abrey is rather upset that the man she has been having an affair with is planning to take her child away. Hazell is in a quandary as well, luckily he gets a tip that he should always investigate the client.

This cockney private investigator is not as hard boiled as Marlowe. Underneath he has a soft centre and maybe a few skeletons in his cupboard.

Broadcast in 1978, the show became a big hit for ITV. Ball showed some charm and flare in the role. Unfortunately he also wore flares that could had swept him towards the English Channel on a windy day. The show aged badly and quickly became a product of its time.

Still the opening story is very good. A strong performance from Susan Littler who plays Mrs Abrey, an actress who died tragically young. Jane Asher gives a performance of someone who might be just slightly unhinged as Georgina Gunning.

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Hazell is hired to find out if the Abrey's daughter was swapped in the hospital which Mrs Abrey was in the next bed to Georgina Gunning a red-haired lady.

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Shalfleet Dr & Bramley Rd, London, England, UK

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