the matter out, Shoestring visits Radio West to brief his client who has just chaired an unsuccessful planning meeting to come up with new programme ideas. Inspired by a sketch of herself made by Shoestring, Radio West's receptionist Sonia proposes that he is hired as the station's "private ear" to present a weekly broadcast entitled 'The Private Ear of Eddie Shoestring', in which members of the public are offered his services in order to investigate cases affecting them, such as disappearances or the unsolved deaths of loved ones. At first, Shoestring drives an old Hillman Hunter, but when this is destroyed, he purchases a bright orange Ford Cortina estate. The final episode was a Christmas special. The episode "Find The Lady" featured singer Toyah Willcox and allowed her to perform some of her own material in character. The building used to portray the Radio West premises is actually a multi storey car park between Queen Charlotte Street and Welsh Back. Almost a year after the show finished, Bristol's first independent radio station was started under the name of Radio West on 27 October 1981. In 2022, Shoestring was the subject of 'Eddie Shoestring's Bristol', a documentary presented by Xander Brett for Burst Radio. Cast Trevor Eve as Eddie Shoestring – A "Private Ear" for Radio West, who investigates cases for the public free of charge. He is sometimes called "Bootlace", and is nearly always scruffy and dishevelled in his appearance. Michael Medwin as Don Satchley – The owner of Radio West. He sometimes finds that Shoestring's cases conflict with his commercial interests. Doran Godwin as Erica Bayliss – Shoestring's landlady. As a barrister, she sometimes provides legal advice for the cases he is investigating. There are also some hints of a romance between the pair. Liz Crowther as Sonia – The receptionist at Radio West. Supporting cast Colin Maitland as Pete – A sound engineer and studio assistant at Radio West (eight episodes) Jeanna L'Etsy as Liz (four episodes) Julian Littman as Vincent Dinsdale (four episodes) John Vine as Karl Winning – A DJ and announcer at Radio West (three episodes) Stewart Bevan as Paul – A DJ and presenter at Radio West (three episodes) Alan David as Ben Fischer (two episodes) Toyah Wilcox as Toola (one episode, December 1979) Episodes Series 1 (1979) Series 2 (1980) References External links Unofficial fansite Interview with Series Dubbing Mixer 1979 British television