Husband and wife acting duo Tim Healey and Denise Welch are to star in a one-off drama on 5 Live to mark the 25th anniversary of football’s ‘Hand of God’ moment.
Independent production company Made in Manchester are behind ‘Don’t Cry For Me, Maradona’ which focuses on England manager Bobby Robson and wife Elsie at the time of the 1986 World Cup.
The fictional drama is set in the aftermath of Maradona’s infamous handball in the quarter finals which knocked England out of the tournament in Mexico, devastating the team and its manager.
Written by Aelish Michael, in consultation with the Robson family, the drama is set in Bobby and Elsie’s favourite beauty spot Hilltop, overlooking Langley Park in County Durham, where they both grew up. It looks at how some of Bobby’s childhood experiences and influences helped him cope in the aftermath of a match controversially marred by what he always called ‘The hand of a rascal’.
5 Live is also airing a documentary celebrating the life of Sir Bobby, which has also been produced by Made In Manchester as part of the BBC North Creative Kicker Fund.
Producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne told RadioToday.co.uk: “5 Live doesn’t do drama regularly and we are hoping that by producing a short piece which connects with the audience, we will introduce a whole new group of people to the joys of drama on the radio. It’s brilliant to have been able to bring together two of the country’s best known actors to play Bobby and Elsie. Sir Bobby was a lovely man who was respected by football fans and non-football fans alike – and that really shows through in Tim’s performance.”
Don’t Cry for Me, Maradona will be broadcast next Tuesday at 9.30pm and The Day I Met Sir Bobby Robson goes out on Saturday 25 June at 11am.
Posted on Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 12:05 am by RadioToday UK