[1] The character of London extortioner and gangland boss Alec Spindoe (played by Ray McAnally) first appeared in several episodes of Granada TV's serial The Fellows.

Spindoe falls foul of one of these theories when he panics over a threatening letter, in truth sent to him by one of the Fellows in the hope that he will react exactly as he does.

The series, devised by Robin Chapman, tried to portray London gangland in a realistic and consequently unpleasant light.

At the beginning of the first episode, Spindoe is released from prison and is surprised to find that his deputy Eddie Edwards (Anthony Bate) is not there to meet him.

North London gang boss Henry Mackleson (Richard Hurndall) is and offers him a chance to work for him, which Spindoe declines.

Mackleson, hearing of the events at Edwards' house, begins his preparation to kill Sheila Spindoe and frame Alec for her murder.

Spindoe goes to see a private detective Ray Scaliger (George Sewell), to get evidence of his wife's adultery and to tell him who is visiting Edwards.

After giving a statement to the police, he visits his solicitor but is again waylaid by Mackleson who repeats his offer and gets another refusal.

Spindoe spots the absence of his gun and realises Renata has stolen it; he is unable to persuade her to explain what happened but she does introduce him to the last man to speak to Larry Bolsover, a waiter.

Spindoe's letter repeating his ultimatum to his wife is delivered; meanwhile Mackleson's plot to murder Sheila is put into operation.

Edwards' solicitor is unable to find a legal way of bailing him so he arranges with Mackleson to spring him from the Magistrates' Court.

The police go through the situation and have worked out that a full gang war is about to break out; they decide that Scaliger is the key; before they can get to him, Mackleson's associates kidnap him.

Humphries believes he must have a deal with Mackleson and produces Renata asking for plastic surgery but Spindoe again refuses to help her because of her betrayal of him.

Realising he is in danger of returning to prison, Spindoe goes off to try to murder Mackleson; he recruits Scaliger, who is more concerned with freeing Billy.