The series was reportedly changed to being set in Birmingham at late notice, the original Liverpool setting altered to avoid clashing with Bread (1986), something which caused issues with the cast having to adopt shaky Birmingham accents at short notice.
However, such a "last minute" change was unlikely to have affected the series itself, only the unscreened pilot, which was recorded back in 1986. As many of the cast making the actual series were different, they would have taken part in recording being aware of any such changes beforehand.
However, such a "last minute" change was unlikely to have affected the series itself, only the unscreened pilot, which was recorded back in 1986. As many of the cast making the actual series were different, they would have taken part in recording being aware of any such changes beforehand.
Divided We Stand was not successful with viewers, averaging at 54th place in the charts and an audience of 8.23 million.
As it was immediately followed by EastEnders (1985), which topped the chart every single week that Divided We Stand was on air, it was particularly disastrous for the sitcom. The ratings for each individual episode are listed under their respective entries.
As it was immediately followed by EastEnders (1985), which topped the chart every single week that Divided We Stand was on air, it was particularly disastrous for the sitcom. The ratings for each individual episode are listed under their respective entries.
An interview with writer Myra Taylor in the Liverpool Echo (7th November 1987) seemed to suggest that the Birmingham setting was not added before filming, but earlier in the development stage.
The write-up stated: "Divided We Stand could well have been another Liverpool comedy but Myra suspects the BBC thought the market had become a bit overcrowded. "In my mind it was set in Liverpool but they decided to change it to Birmingham which caused me a bit of heartache.
"The result is they sent me off to do some research there. Other people get sent to South Sea islands and so on but where do I end up? Birmingham of all places.""
The write-up stated: "Divided We Stand could well have been another Liverpool comedy but Myra suspects the BBC thought the market had become a bit overcrowded. "In my mind it was set in Liverpool but they decided to change it to Birmingham which caused me a bit of heartache.
"The result is they sent me off to do some research there. Other people get sent to South Sea islands and so on but where do I end up? Birmingham of all places.""