Cradle to Grave is based on Danny Baker’s autobiography, but the inspiration for part of the humour in the fourth episode involving the school soccer team seems to have come from somewhere else altogether…

The latest instalment features a shouty, win-at-all-costs northern track-suited trainer called Mr Glover (played by John Henshaw). There is a distinct whiff of Kes here. Maybe it’s a bizarre coincidence or maybe it's a homage, but the trainer in Kes was played by a Mr Glover. Mr Brian Glover. 

Elsewhere this week the amiable nostalgiafest also has faint echoes of narratives gone by. Danny's docker dad Spud is wrestling with his conscience over whether to take redundancy money (pace Billy Elliott), while Danny is torn between soccer glory and post-curricular lessons with the sultry French teacher (St Trinians anyone?) in the photographic dark room.

The storylines might feel a little corny, but the whole thing is played so nicely it doesn't really matter. Cradle To Grave is funny and fast-paced and if one gag doesn't tickle you the next one probably will. Peter Kay even gets the chance to reveal some emotional depth here, as well as a surprisingly hairy chest. Oh, and Justin Edwards, always a delight, crops up as Danny’s headmaster.

Cradle To Grave, BBC2, Thursdays, 9pm.