Bella and the Boys

This probably marked the debut of Billie Piper, as a serious actress. Set around children "in care" it follows Bella through adolescence into adulthood. The story is brilliantly written and all the major characters are totally convincing, and manages to avoid a traditional "happy ending", showing life as it really is rather than as some TV producers would like us to believe it is.

Perhaps the only fault is the overly saintly care home manager, but her character is essential to Bella's development and to the denouement.

The programme also features Lenora Crichlow of Channel 4's "Sugar Rush" as another of the residents of Bella's care home.

When British television makes dramas as well-written, well-produced and well-acted as this, it is at its best, and proves that it can still be a world leader in quality drama.

As someone previously involved in the care system, I recommend this to everyone. Not a programme to please Daily Mail readers!