Cannon and Ball then Head of Programming at ITV station TVS and later to hold a similar position at LWT expressed a concern that northern comedy shows may not suit southern tastes. By the 1990s, the duo were seeking a change in direction and appeared in their own sitcom "Cannon and Ball's Playhouse", the spin-off series "Plaza Patrol" and their game show "Cannon and Ball's Casino". "Plaza Patrol" saw them play security guards in a shopping mall. In more recent times, they have continued to find success as a comic duo in theatre and pantomime, along with numerous cameo appearances on TV. In
Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone Hanna-Barbera" on the 1st September 1990, "Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone" lasted only 13 episodes. It was watched by 8.5 million in the US while 5.1 million watched the series on CBBC in Britain, making it the "second most popular children's show on British television after "Neighbours"". The "real" Potsworth became something of a celebrity when he featured extensively in the British media as part of the promotion campaign for the cartoon series when it first aired in the UK in 1990/91 television season. A comic strip based on the show featured in the merged "Beezer and Topper"