Paul Merton's Secret Stations

Episode 2 (1x2)

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Paul explores the new lives and rejuvenation around Britain’s request stops. His first journey is on the glorious West Highland Line, getting off at the request stop of Beasdale. It was here, during the Second World War, that ordinary people would come to be trained in espionage by the Special Operations Executive – ready to be dropped behind enemy lines. He visits Arisaig House, the secret headquarters of the SOE and discovers evidence of what went on there. At St Andrews Road, Paul discovers a request stop which is far from remote. It’s just outside the centre of Bristol and totally industrial. Where once it served the docks and a massive smelting works, it’s now home to a supermarket distribution centre. Paul clocks in for a shift, and is baffled by the computer which runs the place. At his final stop, Pontarddulais, Paul sees how a former mining town has reinvented itself – it’s now known as ‘the wedding village’ – with a high street full of bridal shops. He helps a young bride pick out her perfect dress, and has the chance to sing with the local male voice choir – the most successful choir in Wales.