The Sweeney Unofficial Podcast

The Sweeney Unofficial Podcast

Can the Yard Count? Revisiting Jackpot

Oct 7, 2026 · 55 min · 16 segments

The Flying Pod (Lee, John and Shane) are back for Episode 2 of The Unofficial Sweeney Podcast as they revisit “Jackpot”. The Flying Squad appear to have successfully foiled a wages snatch — but…

The Flying Pod (Lee, John and Shane) are back for Episode 2 of The Unofficial Sweeney Podcast as they revisit “Jackpot”. The Flying Squad appear to have successfully foiled a wages snatch — but there’s one rather large problem: £35,000 has disappeared. Where did the money go? Did one of the blaggers manage to stash it during the chaos, or could somebody inside the police have helped themselves to the jackpot? Shane, Lee and John dig into an episode that puts suspicion firmly on Regan and the squad. They discuss Biggleswade and his unexpected motivation, the mysterious Tony Wirral, the filmed wages raid, Regan’s uncomfortable relationship with his superiors, and Carter’s increasingly Regan-like approach to police work. There’s also plenty of classic Sweeney territory along the way, including the brutal opening arrest, memorable dialogue, Thorpey being sent down the drains, the squad office at Colet Court, and some fantastic 1970s London locations. The team also gets into the cars of “Jackpot”, including the now-iconic bronze Ford Consul GT, and explores some of the episode’s supporting characters, humour and behind-the-scenes connections. And, of course, the villain draft continues. Does Biggleswade have what it takes to make the firm? Could Big Tel provide the muscle? And would anyone be brave enough to trust Tony Wirral with the money? Made by Sweeney fans, for Sweeney fans, The Unofficial Sweeney Podcast is our affectionate homage to Regan, Carter and one of British television’s greatest crime dramas. Join the conversation in our Facebook Group at thesweeneypodcast.com and let us know what you make of “Jackpot” — and who, if anyone, would make it into your firm.

The Flying Pod (Lee, John and Shane) are back for Episode 2 of The Unofficial Sweeney Podcast as they revisit “Jackpot”. The Flying Squad appear to have successfully foiled a wages snatch — but…

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Jackpot: Plot and First Impressions1:19 – 5:22

ShaneHost

1:19

So, um, first of all, let's get into, um, the episode.

ShaneHost

1:23

So Jackpot, writer Tony Marsh, director Tom Clegg.

ShaneHost

1:28

First transmitted in the UK first, uh, beg your pardon, 9th of January, 1975 at 9:00.

ShaneHost

1:35

Quickly running you through the cast: Ed Devereaux, Richard Davis, um, [lip smacks] Morgan Shepherd, Bernard Gallagher, Carolyn Jones, Murray Brown, Sally Faulkner, Natalie Kent, um, Bart Allison.

ShaneHost

1:49

So the plot basically is aft- is the aftermath of a wages snatch foiled by the squad, and despite the success of the ambush and the apparent arrest of the gang, a sour note is struck when Regan learns one bag of money containing 35 grand has disappeared.

ShaneHost

2:07

Um, Maynon later berates Regan.

ShaneHost

2:09

So Maynon is the, the boss in this one.

ShaneHost

2:12

We'll get onto him in, in a moment.

ShaneHost

2:14

He berates Regan for the appearance of a, a newspaper with the headline, "Can the Yard Count?" So you've got all sorts in this.

ShaneHost

2:20

You've got the blagging.

ShaneHost

2:21

You've got the arrests.

ShaneHost

2:22

You've got the violence at the arrests.

ShaneHost

2:25

You've got the missing money.

ShaneHost

2:27

You've got the relationship with the press.

ShaneHost

2:29

You've got alleged corruption in the force.

ShaneHost

2:32

Um, there's a lot of ingredients in this one.

ShaneHost

2:35

So how did this...

ShaneHost

2:36

I'll start with you, Lee.

ShaneHost

2:37

How does this one compare to Ringer for you?

2:40

[sighs] I, I, I really enjoyed it.

2:45

Um, it's not up there with, um, up there with R- Ringer for me, um, 'cause I just think that was just such a standout episode.

2:51

Well, yeah, one of the best they made out, made out of the, the whole run.

2:55

But this was a really strong one.

2:57

Again, it had so many components of what make the Sweeney brilliant.

3:01

You know, the, the, the relationship between, um, you know, Carter and Regan and, you know, the, the, the blag part of it, you know, the, the, the gritty realism, the violence of, uh, uh, when they, when they catch Biggleswade.

Jackpot: Plot and First Impressions1:19 – 5:22

ShaneHost

1:19

So, um, first of all, let's get into, um, the episode.

ShaneHost

1:23

So Jackpot, writer Tony Marsh, director Tom Clegg.

ShaneHost

1:28

First transmitted in the UK first, uh, beg your pardon, 9th of January, 1975 at 9:00.

ShaneHost

1:35

Quickly running you through the cast: Ed Devereaux, Richard Davis, um, [lip smacks] Morgan Shepherd, Bernard Gallagher, Carolyn Jones, Murray Brown, Sally Faulkner, Natalie Kent, um, Bart Allison.

ShaneHost

1:49

So the plot basically is aft- is the aftermath of a wages snatch foiled by the squad, and despite the success of the ambush and the apparent arrest of the gang, a sour note is struck when Regan learns one bag of money containing 35 grand has disappeared.

ShaneHost

2:07

Um, Maynon later berates Regan.

ShaneHost

2:09

So Maynon is the, the boss in this one.

ShaneHost

2:12

We'll get onto him in, in a moment.

ShaneHost

2:14

He berates Regan for the appearance of a, a newspaper with the headline, "Can the Yard Count?" So you've got all sorts in this.

ShaneHost

2:20

You've got the blagging.

ShaneHost

2:21

You've got the arrests.

ShaneHost

2:22

You've got the violence at the arrests.

ShaneHost

2:25

You've got the missing money.

ShaneHost

2:27

You've got the relationship with the press.

ShaneHost

2:29

You've got alleged corruption in the force.

ShaneHost

2:32

Um, there's a lot of ingredients in this one.

ShaneHost

2:35

So how did this...

ShaneHost

2:36

I'll start with you, Lee.

ShaneHost

2:37

How does this one compare to Ringer for you?

2:40

[sighs] I, I, I really enjoyed it.

2:45

Um, it's not up there with, um, up there with R- Ringer for me, um, 'cause I just think that was just such a standout episode.

2:51

Well, yeah, one of the best they made out, made out of the, the whole run.

2:55

But this was a really strong one.

2:57

Again, it had so many components of what make the Sweeney brilliant.

3:01

You know, the, the, the relationship between, um, you know, Carter and Regan and, you know, the, the, the blag part of it, you know, the, the, the gritty realism, the violence of, uh, uh, when they, when they catch Biggleswade.