minder

Minder is a British television drama series that aired on ITV from 1979 to 1994, starring Dennis Waterman as Arthur Daley and George Cole as Terry McCann. The show was created by Leon Griffiths and became one of the most popular British television programmes of the 1980s.

The series follows the relationship between Arthur Daley, a small-time wheeler-dealer and fence, and Terry McCann, his loyal minder and chauffeur. Daley operates from his office above a car showroom in London, constantly devising get-rich-quick schemes while trying to stay ahead of both his criminal associates and the law. McCann serves as Daley's bodyguard and driver, often reluctantly participating in his boss's dubious business ventures.

Set primarily in contemporary London, Minder portrayed the city's criminal underworld with a mix of drama and dark comedy. The show's theme song, "I Could Be So Good for You" performed by Dennis Waterman, became a major hit and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in 1980.

The programme ran for eleven series and produced several spin-offs, including the feature film "Minder on the Orient Express" (1985) and the sequel series "Minder: The Return" (1997-2000). George Cole left the main series in 1989 to star in the spin-off "Lovejoy," with Ray Winstone taking over as Daley's new minder, Harvey.

Minder's success helped establish the format of British crime drama series featuring morally ambiguous protagonists. The show's portrayal of 1980s London fashion, cars, and culture became iconic, contributing to its enduring popularity. The series attracted millions of viewers during its original run and has been repeated numerous times on various channels.

The programme received critical acclaim for its writing and character development, particularly the chemistry between Waterman and Cole. Minder remains influential in British television history and is remembered as a classic example of the genre.