Jack Duckworth was aghast in June 2004 when Vera purchased an exercise bike to help him get fit and came up with a plan for him to cycle the distance to Cleethorpes and back. Under strong pressure, he carried out her instructions, wearing a very unfetching pair of bright orange, lycra cycling shorts (which he complained made "it look like a pound of oranges". "Overripe Satsumas, you mean" replied Vera). The part of Ernie was played, in a cameo appearance, by comedy legend Sir Norman Wisdom.