The antics of Form 5C in "Please Sir!" led to Esmonde and Larbey being commissioned to write a sequel — "The Fenn Street Gang" — which followed the former school pupils as they tried to make their way in the harsh world outside. This starred David Barry, Peter Cleall and Carol Hawkins. Making his debut in series 1, George Baker made such an impression as a wide-boy villain that the prequel "Bowler" was launched in 1973. This lasted for one series and co-starred Fred Beauman, Renny Lister and Gretchen Franklin.