fifth series, lead actor Maurice Colbourne, who played central character Tom Howard, suddenly died from a heart attack during a break in filming. Episode nine featured his last appearance with the remaining episodes hurriedly rewritten to explain the character's absence. He was finally killed off at the beginning of the sixth and final series, commissioned to end the programme and to tie up all the storylines. The final episode of Howards' Way was transmitted on 25 November 1990. Boats Central to the plot were three yachts - The Flying Fish, a Laser 28; Barracuda of Tarrant, the prototype of the Sadler Barracuda 45, and Spring of Tarrant, the prototype of the MG Spring 25. Both the Barracuda and Spring were designed by Tony Castro. Main cast list Series overview DVD releases The show is rated PG for Parental Guidance in Australia and PG in New Zealand for violence and coarse language. In other media A medley of the theme songs from Howards' Way and EastEnders was recorded by the Shadows and reached No. 86 on the UK singles chart in December 1986. References External links Howards' Way @ TV.com A recording of the theme tune 1985 British television series debuts 1990 British television series endings 1980s British drama television series 1990s British drama television series BBC television dramas BBC Birmingham productions British television soap operas English-language television shows Nautical television series Television shows set in Hampshire Television series by BBC Studios