By 1990, Moffat had written two series of "Press Gang", but the programme's high cost along with organisational changes at Central cast its future in doubt. As Moffat wondered what to do next and worried about his future employment, Bob Spiers, "Press Gang"'s primary director, suggested that he meet with producer Andre Ptaszynski to discuss writing a sitcom. Moffat's father had been a headteacher and Moffat himself had taught English before writing "Press Gang", so his initial proposal was a programme similar to what would become "Chalk," a series that eventually aired in 1997.