Episode 1

Damian Barr reads his touching and entertaining memoir of growing up in a small Scottish steelworks town in the 80s.

On 12th October 1984 young Damian's world explodes. He watches in panic as his mum rips off her wedding ring and packs their bags. Later that night he is glued to the news as Margaret Thatcher miraculously survives the IRA bomb that has blown apart the Grand Hotel in Brighton. As his own life descends into chaos, he knows that he too must survive.

In the shadow of the Falklands war, milk snatching, and the strikes that are spreading across Britain, tensions flare up in the heart of his own community. As the local Ravenscraig steelworks and his dad's job come under threat, Damian holds onto Maggie's advice to work hard and escape.

Written and read by Damian Barr.
Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy.