Stranger on the Shore

Stranger on the Shore is a BBC television drama serial first broadcast in five parts in 1961. Produced by Kevin Sheldon and written by Ruth Sheila Hodgson, the five-episode series portrays Marie-Hélène Ronsin, a young French teenager, on her first trip to England as an au pair. Speaking some English, but very shy, she lives with a family in Brighton, and faces the challenges of culture shock. The series was followed the following year by a sequel, entitled Stranger in the City. The hit theme tune of the same title was written and performed by Acker Bilk for this series which first broadcast on 24 September 1961. The music was released as a single in October 1961 and became the UK's best-selling instrumental single of all time, remaining in the Top 50 for 55 weeks.