Richard 'Fagin' Hepplewhite

Robert Blythe

Courtesey of BBC Wales, used with permission

Richard Hepplewhite is an entrepreneur who lives with his mother in the Welsh valleys. Fresh from serving eight years for second-degree murder at Strangeways Prison (in an unusual miscarriage of justice), he is claustrophobic and agoraphobic, running his odd-job business from his desk at the house. In one episode, he is briefly cured of his agoraphobia after falling over, but he still lives in fear of the sky sucking him up!

He takes the boys in during the first episode and as his name suggests, he shows them the way to "pick a pocket or two"; the Welsh way, in a sort of Fagin-esque modern day Oliver Twist story straight from the heart of the valleys of Wales. His character also draws similarities to Del Trotter of 'Only Fools And Horses' fame, in the way he is constantly makes the boys do the wheelin' whilst he stays at home and does the dealin'!

The Hepplwhite household is also full of old junk that he endeavors to sell on for a profit of any margin...similar also to 'Steptoe & Son'.