This episode was deliberately pitched against the first feature-length Christmas special of Only Fools and Horses (1981) in 1985 since the two shows were considered rivals because of their similar characters and scenarios. David Jason never considered them rivals because he was a big fan of Minder (1979) and felt it was something stirred up by the press just to sell newspapers. In the end, Only Fools came out ahead with an audience of 17 million, which shocked Jason.
Asides from being an actor, Adam Faith (James Crane) was best known as a singer, whose career spanned from 1957-2003.
At the start of the 1970s, Adam Faith was the star of a cult TV series, Budgie (1971), which was, in many ways, like Minder only more dark and sinister. Faith played Budgie, a ducker and diver operating on the edge of the London underworld and Faith had a huge influence on 1971 \ 1972 fashion with the short, tight-fitting jackets he wore - a style that became known as Budgie jackets. The jackets were incredibly popular. At that time, Mods had evolved into skinheads, rockers had evolved into greasers and it was about four years before Punk came along, but Budgie jackets were mainstream street fashion and not associated with any cult.
At the start of the 1970s, Adam Faith was the star of a cult TV series, Budgie (1971), which was, in many ways, like Minder only more dark and sinister. Faith played Budgie, a ducker and diver operating on the edge of the London underworld and Faith had a huge influence on 1971 \ 1972 fashion with the short, tight-fitting jackets he wore - a style that became known as Budgie jackets. The jackets were incredibly popular. At that time, Mods had evolved into skinheads, rockers had evolved into greasers and it was about four years before Punk came along, but Budgie jackets were mainstream street fashion and not associated with any cult.
The following actors from this episode previously appeared with Dennis Waterman in The Sweeney (1975). Ronald Lacey (Harry Ridler) appeared in Thou Shalt Not Kill! (1975). Garfield Morgan (Superintendent Mason) played Detective Superintendent Frank Haskins in 45 episodes. And John Moreno (Claude) appeared in Hearts and Minds (1978)
Honor Blackman (Helen Spender) previously appeared with Dennis Waterman and George Cole in Fright (1971). She later appeared with Waterman in Old and Cold (2005)
Linal Haft (Brian Gamage) previously appeared in In (1982) as Ronnie, he later appeared in A Fridge Too Far (1994) as Mervyn Kravitz and in Till Debt Do Us Part (2009) as Spike. Jonathan Kydd (Van Driver) previously appeared in Broken Arrow (1982) as Len and in A Number of Old Wives Tales (1984) as Ernie. Frank Duncan (Bank Official) previously appeared in Willesden Suite (1984) as Philip Higgins. Garfield Morgan appeared in 3 more episodes as Superintendent Mason, the last one being The Last Video Show (1989). David Beale (Car Customer) previously appeared in The Long Ride Back to Scratchwood (1984) as Theo Warren. Hans Meyer (Kurt Wengler) previously appeared in The Smaller They Are... (1979) as Maurice Bonnet. And Debbie Arnold (Angelo's Girlfriend) previously appeared in Life in the Fast Food Lane (1985) as Julie.