

Home to Roost
Home to Roost is a British television sitcom produced by Yorkshire Television in the 1980s. Written by Eric Chappell, it starred John Thaw as Henry Willows and Reece Dinsdale as his 18-year-old son Matthew. The premise is that Henry Willows is forty-something, who has been divorced from his wife for seven years and is perfectly happy living alone in London. That is, until his youngest child, Matthew arrives to live with him, after being thrown out by his mother. The plots generally revolved around Henry's annoyance at having his solitude disturbed, and the age gap clash. Henry employed two cleaners throughout the show's life; first Enid Thompson, and, in the third season, Fiona Fennell.
Cast

Reece Dinsdale
Matthew Willows

John Thaw
Henry Willows
Seasons
E1A New Life
Apr 19, 1985
Divorced office worker Henry Willows is content in his uneventful life, one of his few domestic contacts being Enid, who comes in to clean for him. However his ordered existence is shattered when his seventeen year old son Matthew arrives on his door-step, having previously lived with Henry's ex-wife. Matthew claims that he was fed up at his mother's house and was keen to see his father again. A call to the ex-wife uncovers another story. Matthew was thrown out and told to move in with his father. Henry is about to find out why.
E2Bad Apples
Apr 26, 1985
Henry and Matthew's differences in age and taste are constant and comic irritants in their daily confrontations, but they rise to new levels when the subject of education is raised and they must choose a school for Matthew.
E3All You Need Is Love
May 3, 1985
When Matthew brings a girlfriend home, the cleaning lady finds incriminating evidence in his bedroom.
E4Suspect
May 10, 1985
When Henry's next door neighbour's son returns from college, comparisons between Matthew and the student are inevitable. But while the neighbour boy might look to be industrious, considerate, well-mannered and a great sportsman, Matthew knows the truth.
E5Dating Henry
May 17, 1985
Wine is chilling, candlesticks are on the table and Henry has shaved. Who is coming to dinner? Matthew attempts to find out.
E6Small Change
May 24, 1985
As most young people are, Matthew is desperate for money, but his father refuses to invest in his future unless he finds more suitable employment.
E7The Way We Were
May 31, 1985
It's Henry's wedding anniversary, but after seven years of separation there is nothing to celebrate, so he goes to the club. While he is out, Matthew welcomes a special guest into his father's home.
E1Protest
Oct 3, 1986
Henry and Matthew's relationship is strained further when Matthew becomes an animal rights activist.
E2Open House
Sep 12, 1986
Henry comes home to find the house full of Matthew's friends—more of an orgy than a party, says Henry—but rather than throw them all out, he joins in with hilarious results.
E3Plastic Dreamworld
Sep 5, 1986
Matthew inherits a large sum of money, but finds it impossible to hold on to. Matthew opens a bank account, but how long can he withstand the temptation of ATMs and credit cards?
E4Acting Out
Sep 19, 1986
Henry is stunned to find Matthew wearing makeup, and even more stunned when he finds out Matthew wants to become an actor. Matthew has joined the college drama group to play Othello, with a married woman as his Desdemona. Henry is horrified at the result.
E5The Test
Sep 26, 1986
Henry suffers every father's nightmare—teaching his son to drive. Inevitably, Henry's pristine new car begins to show signs of stress.
E6Any Questions?
Oct 10, 1986
Prospective candidate Henry is opposed by an attractive woman in the election, creating a quandary for first-time voter Matthew.
E7Julie
Oct 17, 1986
Matthew's sister Julie decides to stay, but Henry and Matthew soon find that three's a crowd.
E1Human Interest
Oct 24, 1987
E2Success Story
Oct 31, 1987
E3High Spirits
Nov 7, 1987
E4The Real Thing
Nov 14, 1987
E5Crime Watch
Nov 21, 1987
E6Getting On
Nov 28, 1987
E7Paper Chase
Dec 5, 1987
E1Bridge of Sighs
Dec 1, 1989
E2Front Runner
Dec 8, 1989
E3The Boyfriend
Dec 15, 1989
E4Thought for the Day
Dec 22, 1989
E5Return to Clagthorpe
Jan 5, 1990
E6High Noon
Jan 12, 1990
E7Leaving
Jan 19, 1990
Storyline
Home to Roost is a British television sitcom produced by Yorkshire Television in the 1980s. Written by Eric Chappell, it starred John Thaw as Henry Willows and Reece Dinsdale as his 18-year-old son Matthew. The premise is that Henry Willows is forty-something, who has been divorced from his wife for seven years and is perfectly happy living alone in London. That is, until his youngest child, Matthew arrives to live with him, after being thrown out by his mother. The plots generally revolved around Henry's annoyance at having his solitude disturbed, and the age gap clash. Henry employed two cleaners throughout the show's life; first Enid Thompson, and, in the third season, Fiona Fennell.
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