five. Tim continues as a pool attendant, unaware he is earning the lowest wage in the centre. He eventually learns this and revolts, holding Gavin, Linda and Colin hostage in the staff room. It later emerges that Tim's real birth name is Timothy Göebbels, that he was born in East Germany and illegally changed his name from 'Göebbels' to 'Whistler' out of shame. Gordon refuses to recognize Tim as a legal entity after this revelation and opens up a vacancy for Tim's position, allowing Tim to re-apply to the centre only by using his real name. However, Tim finally receives a large pay-rise afterwards, when Brittas categorizes him as an imported 'EU acquisition' because of his German nationality. In later series, Tim puts his chef skills to use when he volunteers to run the staff canteen, with a view of running it full time in the future. The Christmas 1994 special "In the Beginning" shows that in later life, Tim has become a famous author and television chef. Julie Porter (Series 2–7) Julie Porter replaced Angie as Brittas's secretary from the beginning of series two. Originally from Rotherham, Julie has a distinctive strong Yorkshire accent and fiery personality. An outspoken and insubordinate character, she often flatly refuses menial tasks assigned by Gordon. During collective staff action against Brittas, such as strikes or protests, Julie joins in with great enthusiasm, often being the instigator. She dislikes Brittas more than any of her colleagues (except possibly Tim), and genuinely hopes he will be replaced by someone more capable, although Brittas himself remains oblivious to the fact. Julie has a sister, Kath, who is married to Roger Fazakerley; the couple are the parents of Julie's niece Melanie. It is implied that Julie occasionally accepts casual work outside the Leisure Centre; she meets Alexander 'Alex' Cholmondeley-Hulme (a baronet, and owner of a brewery) at the Young Conservatives Ball, where the two have a brief relationship that results in pregnancy. Her baby son is born unexpectedly in Colin's office, whilst attempting to help Helen stage a burglary at the Leisure Centre, and is named Gordon Colin, owing to both Brittas and his Deputy Manager being present at the birth. Julie later continues her relationship with Alex. Recurring characters in the series Angie (Series 1) Angie (played by Andree Bernard) is Brittas's first secretary when the centre opens, and appears throughout the first series. Angie is