Yob, The (The Comic Strip Presents . . . )

Broke video director Patrick (Keith Allen) and sidekick Lucy (Lia Williams) enter a UB40 concert. The band hire Patrick to direct their next video. Queen Alexandra's House, Bremner Road, Kensington Gore, London SW7.

A purpose built hostel for female students since 1884, next to the Royal Albert Hall. (SR)

Simultaneously a bunch of yobs led by Steve (Gary Olsen) are heading for the same concert. Woolwich Foot Tunnel and Greenwich Tunnel are very similar underground, but which is this?

Under the Thames in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

The ticketless yobs force their way past the attendent (Malcolm Hardee) at the top of the stairs. The configuration here confirms the location as the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, at the southern entrance in Cutty Sark Gardens SE10. The tunnel also appears in 'Bronco Bullfrog'.

The southern entrance today.

Following a Cronenbergian mix-up in the toilets, Patrick and Steve's personalities get switched. Steve starts to confuse his co-workers on a building site. Unknown location.

Meanwhile Patrick is shooting his UB40 video. East Greenwich Gas Works Boord Street SE10.

The East Greenwich Gas Works site was redeveloped between 1997 and 2000. This was originally Phoenix Wharf on the Greenwich Peninsular. On the right of the capture is the Sulphate of Ammonia store which was demolished in 1990 and in the background the partially demolished Blackwall Point Power Station. This is now Central Park with the Lower Riverside development replacing the power station. This photo is from June 2023 when I was here for 'The Cement Garden'. (SD)

Patrick starts to display yobbish tendencies as he works on the shoot. East Greenwich Gas Works SE10. The plant was mothballed after the introduction of North Sea Gas caused production to cease in 1976.

On the left of the capture is the Phoenix Wharf Sulphate of Ammonia store which was also seen in the 1988 'Doctor Who' 25th anniversary story 'Silver Nemesis'. On the right are the The Pilot pub and cottages on River Way which were seen in 'The Cement Garden' and the music video 'Parklife' by Blur. The featured UB40 song 'Hit It' didn't actually have a video. This is now Central Park with the Lower Riverside development on the left and the Peninsular Gardens development which is currently under construction. Photographed in June 2023. (SD)

Riding with Lucy and her friend Simone (Tania Coleridge), Patrick steps out to get cigarettes. The pub behind them is The Nellie Dean of Soho, 89 Dean Street W1.

As ever in Soho, parked vehicles make it difficult to achieve the right angle. PW

Patrick enters the newsagents. 88 Dean Street W1.

Fingers crossed that some things will never change. PW

Following Patrick's boorish behaviour Lucy leaves a restaurant and hails a cab. Le Beat Route at 18 Greek Street W1, a New Romantic club which had been the site of Peter Cook's famous Establishment Club 1961-1964.

Yet another change of colour for the building. PW

Patrick's physical transformation into a football hooligan takes place. 70 Wapping Wall E1.

There were cordoned-off road works on the south side of Wapping Wall preventing the sharper angle. SJ

Patrick emerges as a fully-fledged yob and heads off into the distance. Wapping Wall E1, looking west. Wapping Wall features in a number of films.

The aforementioned (comparison 10) roadworks cluttering an otherwise deserted street, leading in the distance to Garnet Street as it merges into Wapping High Street. SJ

Lucy follows scientists Michael (Adrian Edmondson) and Vanessa (Betsy Brantley) who have traced Steve's origins to a block of flats. Robin Hood Gardens E14, looking south. Opened in 1972 to replace the former Grosvenor Buildings which featured in 'The Naked Edge', these flats are now themselves due for demolition.

They stand at the door amazed. Behind them Richard Lovejoy spotted the nearby Balfron Tower in Poplar E14.

Steve has transformed into a cultured intellectual. He looks out onto the estate. Robin Hood Gardens E14.

Lucy, Michael and Vanessa visit Steve's regular haunt, the film's 'Imperial Crown'. Patrick arrives and there is a bust-up before the film's improbable conclusion. This was The Osborne Arms, 14 New King Street, Deptford SE8, which closed in 2010.

The building now houses a charity.