Alas, the mugshots of the real-life gangsters of Birmingham’s impoverished streets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries proved that they looked nothing like handsome Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby, more’s the pity. However, the haircuts were even more severe than they are in the show.

Professor Carl Chinn proved an enthusiastic and learned guide to take us through this fascinating period of British history, when young men who owned nothing, earned little and were forced to live in squalor, acquired status via gangs and in their proficiency as fighters, the dirtier the better. The research here was quality, the facts backed up with evidence. 

The anti-Catholic riots in which what pitifully little the Irish immigrants of Birmingham had was smashed up, proved a massive recruitment drive for the gangs, and taught the terrified children watching that they had to toughen up — beat or be beaten. A great documentary series that will undoubtedly send new viewers running to the Peaky Blinders boxsets.