Towards the end of the Steptoe series, Ray and Alan started to introduce episodes that included a larger cast. Back in Fashion has the yard awash with photographers and a whole lot of birds.

Having said all of that this episode starts off with classic Steptoe with Harry and Willy bickering in the yard as they go through the various items that Harold has brought back off the round. Albert sets his eyes on a bag of rags that Harold has acquired. Going through the bag Albert reckons there is some good stuff here and suggests the contents would form the basis of his winter collection.

Harold had had enough stating that the things he brings back off the round are to sell, and not to go into Albert’s wardrobe. What’s the point of a winter collection ? Albert always wears the same clothes? In the end Albert is insistent that he keeps a nice yellow jacket, Harold is equally insistent that it is to be sold. They start to argue over the jacket and in the tussle the jacket sleeve gets ripped of. An act of pure vandalism in Albert’s book.

The following morning Harold comes down to breakfast not dresses for the rounds at all, in fact he is wearing a very dated velvet smoking jacket, dark glasses and a walking cane. He explains that he can’t go out of the rounds as he has a “slight headache”. Albert sees through this and realises that Harold is trying to impress the models that are soon to arrive. Albert brings him down to earth by explaining “You don’t think you’re going to get a tumble off one of the do you”.

The girls arrive and in no time at all they are starting to undress in the lounge. One of the girls in particular takes particular care of Harold, making sure he doesn’t bump into things. When Harold suggests he leave and the girls undress she states “there’s no need for YOU to leave”. It suddenly hits Harold that the girl has misunderstood his circumstances “I’m not blind” he shouts in a room full of semi-naked girls, only for the girls to shriek as they try to cover themselves.