initially, mike leigh faces rejection from the bbc. having worked in theatre, he was turned down twice for the bbc�*s trainee director course, but he ended up being invited by the corporation in 1973 to direct a production for its highly respected play for today strand. you see, father, it's my husband. your husband? what about your husband? wen? — i don't love him. ken loach: i made this first play for today of the whole l series called hard labour, which starred liz smith as a cleaning lady in manchester. we filmed it up north, really in the area where i grew up in north salford. and in fact i spent the next 12 years making these various play for today films. 0h, shut up, lawrence! don't tell me to shut up! angela, coat! no, it's all right. i really think- i ought to be going.