The amiable Richard Beckinsale stars in this short-lived series which probably would have been forgotten about if it hadn't been for his death.
He plays a clumsy, philosophical deadbeat (Shelley?) who stumbles into a florist and ends up being a 'partner' in the business. The florist himself (David Swift) is an ex-solicitor who has - for reasons never fully explained - decided to leave it all behind to open the shop. Stan's girlfriend is undergoing therapy while the chaps spend a lot of time in the pub.
Aside from Beckinsale, the series is also buoyed by a sharp and fast moving script. The first three episodes are the best and the final pair drift into a bit of slapstick. Despite being very much a product of it's time, Bloomers is perfectly watchable. It's not spectacular or even memorable, but it is charming and it isn't annoying!
Fans of the lead will enjoy it and those of us over fifty will find comfort in its nostalgia value. It's very much a 'Robin's Nest' or 'George & Mildred' type programme.
Some well-known faces fill out some minor roles. Gordon Rollings (Jackanory) has a silent part as a sign painter in the second episode. The not so well-known, lovely (but tragic) Glory Annen is just about visible in the finale.
All in all, the series nicely caps an impactful career of a lovely man.
