Russell T Davies, the writer behind It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk, returns with a new miniseries about online radicalisation and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ hostility.
Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, Tip Toe follows the growing tension between gay bar owner Leo Struthers and his electrician neighbour Clive Goss.
- READ MORE: Every song on the ‘Tip Toe’ soundtrack
The show’s supporting cast includes Elizabeth Berrington, Denise Welch, Pooky Quesnel, Jackson Connor, Joseph Evans, Iz Hesketh, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Gabriel Clark and Paul Rhys.
All five episodes of Tip Toe, directed by Peter Hoar, are available to stream on Channel 4.
What happens at the end of Tip Toe?
The ending of Tip Toe is revealed at the start of the series, with Leo Struthers (Alan Cumming) seen hanging off a lamppost outside his house. From this point, the show jumps back 10 days prior, where we follow the events that lead up to this harrowing tragedy.
The full context around Leo’s death is shown in the final episode. Clive (David Morrissey) is hosting a football watch party at his house with his sons George (Jackson Connor) and Saul (Joseph Evans), along with several of his mates. Leo, meanwhile, is spending the day with his close friend Stephanie (Elizabeth Berrington) next door.
After seeing some videos online of George being tormented by the other guys at the party, Zee Malone (Iz Hesketh), who had befriended George the previous night, decides to go round to his house to check on his wellbeing. However, this angers George, who is concerned that by being seen with her, it will expose his sexuality to his father and the rest of his family.
Zee’s presence triggers a gradual escalation in events. She encourages Leo to go next door to check on George, but while he’s over at the house, he’s grilled about his intentions with Clive’s son. This spirals as a photo is blown up on the TV screen showing George in make-up from the previous night, which, with encouragement from the group of lads, makes Clive explode into a seething rage as he pins Leo against the wall.
All the anger towards his two sons, his own mistakes in life, and his neighbour, tip over into a senseless act of violence – as the group, led by Clive, string up Leo from the lamppost, to the horrified cries of Leo’s friends who have been threatened to stay indoors.
After the tragedy, various title cards reveal the fate of the various characters. Clive’s wife Marie (Pooky Quesnel) moves away to Scotland with George and Saul. Clive, meanwhile, is given a mandatory life sentence for his role in the murder.
Zee Malone chooses the name Sarah and becomes a teacher, while Stephanie takes an early retirement and travels the world. “She just keeps on moving,” the title card notes. Melba, Leo’s close friend, however, gets blind drunk on this day for the rest of his life.
The most shocking card pops up at the end, which reveals how Leo’s story “keeps changing” over the years, resulting in misinformation. “Within 18 months, a search for his name says ‘Leo Struthers – Convicted paedophile’.”
Is the show based on a true story?
Despite the title cards at the end giving the impression that it does pull from reality, Tip Toe isn’t based on a true story. However, show creator Russell T Davies told The Huffington Post that Tip Toe is inspired by “various incidents” in his own life and others.
“Things happened both at work and at home – in ways that I’m not going to go into because it’ll only encourage them to happen again, genuinely – that made me think ‘that’s enough,’” he said.