Tonight’s storyline features a character called Shay Ryan, who tells his AA group about the moment he became an alcoholic.
It was the day that armed gunmen held up the betting shop where he was manager, leaving him traumatised. Before the robbery, Shay needed a drink every night. After the robbery, he needed one every morning, too.
However, there is more trauma in Shay’s life. Madeleine, an ex-girlfriend whom Shay hasn’t seen for years, comes to see him at work to inform him that he has a son. Otto is 16 years old and has asked to meet his dad. Madeleine didn’t tell Shay about Otto because she wanted nothing more to do with him. Even 16 years ago, Shay’s drinking was becoming destructive to those around him.
Now Shay is hopelessly addicted to vodka, which he mixes with cola in an attempt to hide his alcoholism. His life is a mess. His student lodgers are moving out because of his negligence as a landlord and he’s constantly being battered for being drunk and abusive in the pub.
Yes, and things get even worse. When Madeleine and Otto arrive at Shay’s for lunch, as arranged, Shay is shocked to discover that his son has Down’s syndrome. Typically, Shay proceeds to drink himself into a stupor. Can he pull himself out of his alcoholic malaise, learn to live again and embrace a life enriched by Otto?
The Street
BBC 1, 9pm
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