The Professionals

Another crime series, this one devised by those Avengers maestros Albert Fennell and Brian Clemens. They had intended the stars to be Clive Revill, Anthony Andrews and Jon Finch. Then Gordon Jackson became available, Finch dropped out to be replaced by Martin Shaw as Doyle, causing the similar-looking Andrews to be dropped in favour of Lewis Collins as Bodie. Rough and macho, but without the sophistication of Thames TV's The Sweeney, this series finally ended in 1983. An honourable mention for the theme tune by Laurie Johnson: it is superb!