When the Whistle Blows

Title card for the series

***When the Whistle Blows*** is a fictitious sitcom featured in *Extras* created by Andy Millman which broadcast on BBC Two for three seasons from 2006 to 2007. It revolves around workers in a factory in Wigan, focusing on foreman Ray Stokes (Millman) and his employees Rita (Liza Tarbuck), Gobbler (Andrew Buckley), Brains (Jamie Chapman), and Kimberley (Sarah Moyle). The premise and various characters are based on Andy's life experiences and his time as a banker at a NatWest branch in Wokingham, with the main character Ray Stokes being a parody of his former boss. The sitcom was commercially successful and garnered a cult following and a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Comedy Series, however it was panned by critics.

Andy begins working on his sitcom in the first season of *Extras*, eventually presenting a draft copy of a script to Patrick Stewart (S1:E6), who sends it to the BBC. The program is adopted by BBC Head of Comedy Iain Morris, who assigns script writer Damon Beesley to construct the sitcom in collaboration with Andy. After a rocky start, including allegations of homophobia, the script is finalised and production is underway.

Andy gradually loses creative control over the sitcom to Damon and Iain, with Damon utilising the Ray Stokes catchphrase "Are you 'avin a laugh?" (inspired by a real phrase used by Andy's former boss), and dressing Andy in a curly-haired wig and large red spectacles for his character, both in ignorance of the protestations of Andy. At the 2007 BAFTA TV Awards, *When the Whistle Blows* is nominated for Best Comedy Series; After a troublesome night for Andy the award goes to Stephen Fry (S2:E4).

Despite Andy's dislike at how the show developed, *When the Whistle Blows* is still the reason that he rose to fame. He is invited as a guest onto the chat show *Friday Night with Jonathan Ross*, which he uses as a platform to become good friends with Ross and move up in his career (S2:E6).

## Characters

### Ray Stokes

Portrayed by Andy Millman, Ray Stokes is the manager of the Wigan factory. His catchphrase is an incredulous "Are you having a laugh!? Is he/she having a laugh?". His costume is a white buttoned shirt, a brown-gold spotted tie, curly brown hair and large red spectacles. He has a heavy Mancunian accent and has a naturally farcical facial expression.

The character was based on a man Millman worked for at a NatWest branch in Wokingham before deciding to pursue acting full-time. Originally his catchphrase was merely something Millman wrote in because it was something that man used to say, but Millman's co-writer Damon Beesley decided to develop it into a catchphrase. To play the part of Ray, Millman is forced into wearing a ridiculous outfit to add to the "hilarity", despite the fact that the real Ray Stokes did not look like this. Many of Ray's mannerisms, such as raising and lowering his glasses, suggest that he could be a parody of Reg Holdsworth, an old character from the long-running British soap *Coronation Street*.

### Rita

Portrayed by Liza Tarbuck, Rita is the central, straight character of the show and is a senior worker at the factory. She is a single parent and gets married later in the series (CS). Tarbuck also sings the *When the Whistle Blows* opening theme song.

### Gobbler

Portrayed by Andrew Buckley, Gobbler is an obese, unintelligent worker at the factory. His inability to understand his co-workers' jokes often prompts his catchphrase, "I don't get it!" It is suggested that he has appalling personal hygiene. Later in the series, he becomes intelligent after falling off a donkey (CS).

### Brains

Portrayed by Jamie Chapman, Brains is the stereotypical nerd of the group. He sports glasses, a quiff, and a pedantic tone. His rather detailed knowledge of all subjects does not impress Ray, who will inevitably come out with the "are ya 'avin' a laugh?" line. Later in the series, he comes out as gay (CS).

### Kimberley

Portrayed by Sarah Moyle, Kimberley is the only other female main character apart from Rita. She seems to lead a rather homely lifestyle. Later in the series, she receives a promotion (CS).

### Other characters

* **Keith** (portrayed by Keith Chegwin): In the pilot episode, Keith is established as a worker who is always late; in this case it is due to having to attend his sister's funeral. Originally named 'Alfie', the character's name was changed to Keith because actor Keith Chegwin could not comprehend playing a character with a different name to him.
* **Chris Martin** (portrayed by himself): Chris Martin appears in a cameo as himself, visiting the Wigan factory to assist the characters and perform the song "Fix You" by his band Coldplay. Martin's appearance on the show was panned by critics, who cited it as cheap, shameless celebrity exposure.
* **Mr Yamaguchi** (portrayed by Ryozo Kohira): Yamaguchi is a Japanese delegate who is sent to the factory to negotiate business. He is greeted by a superficially offensive performance by the workers, however Yamaguchi seems unfazed. He and his wife spawn the series catchphrase "Velly velly solly".
* **Stokes family**: Ray Stokes has a wife who is mentioned but never appears (a cliché of British comedy series, such as *Minder* and *Dad's Army*), and a twin sister (dually portrayed by Millman).
* **Unnamed factory worker** (portrayed by Maggie Jacobs): Maggie plays an uncredited extra throughout the series, a role given to her thanks to her close friendship with creator and star Andy Millman.

## Gallery

Chris Martin performs "Fix You" during his cameo on *When the Whistle Blows*Andy behind the scenes after finishing filming an episode of *When the Whistle Blows*Maggie in costume as an extra on *When the Whistle Blows*Liza Tarbuck as RitaAndrew Buckley as GobblerJamie Chapman as BrainsSarah Moyle as Kimberley
## External links

* *When the Whistle Blows* opening sequence – "Extras: When The Whistle Blows Intro - Video" (YouTube), uploaded by comeradealexi
* *When the Whistle Blows* theme song *–* "When The Whistle Blows Theme Song - Extras" (YouTube), uploaded by Brad16100