THE latest series of Auf Wiedersehen Pet very nearly wasn't set in Cuba. That country had been suggested as a setting for the latest escapade by Whitley Bay-born Ian La Frenais, co-writer of the series with Dick Clement.

Nail was among those who visited Cuba looking for ideas for a storyline. "But we didn't come up with anything really substantial during our allotted time," recalls the actor who plays Oz.

"Somewhat despondently we prepared to leave, empty-handed. Our last port of call, on the day before we were due to fly home, was the British Embassy. We were given tea and biscuits by the Ambassador and his staff, but not much in the way of story inspiration."

Then, on the way to the car, Nail happened to ask whose job it was to look after the embassy building's upkeep after noticing it was in very good condition, unlike the rest of Havana.

That's when he was told about the OED - Overseas Estate Development, a government department responsible for the upkeep of the Crown's buildings all over the world. On their return, the Pet team went to meet the men from the OED at their London HQ. "They were very helpful, explaining how they recruited tradesmen for their faraway postings, and the work they would be expected to carry out," says Nail.

"I found it truly fascinating and from this meeting came the storyline for the current series."

He was disappointed when they were forced to abandon plans to film in Cuba and relocate to the Dominican Republic, which stands in for Havana. "It proved extremely difficult but I believe, with the aid of a fantastic effort from our design team, we've managed to pull it off," he adds.

For Oz, the series brings an unlikely romance with a beautiful Cuban prima ballerina, Ofelia Ortiz. That followed the actor mentioning, on a visit to the Cuban National Ballet, the idea of Oz having a fling with one of the leading dancers.

"Dick and Ian picked up on it. It turned into one of the show's main themes, but thankfully I wasn't required to don pumps."

Published: 02/01/2004