Ashes to Ashes (2008) - 38 mistakes in entire show

Factual error: Series 2, episode 8: As the security van is leaving the depot it drives past an N-registration Rover 600. N registration is 1995/96 and the Rover 600 didn't go into production until 1993.

Factual error: In Series 1 Episode 1, Alex wakes up in her new flat, and the song "Ashes to Ashes" can be heard. But the record player is on the very last track of David Bowie's "Scary Monsters" album, and "Ashes To Ashes" is the second to last track. Also, the label of the LP is the wrong color for the original 1980-81 release of the "Scary Monsters" LP: when it was released, the label was plain black with white writing, but Alex's version seems to have some characters across the middle.

Factual error: Two police vehicles used in this show were made after July 1981. The transit van is a post-1983 model, and the Gord Granada MK2 is a facelift model which was not made until the autumn of 1981.

Factual error: In episode one, Alex Drake goes into Gene Hunt's office and tries to log on using the computer she finds there. The computer shows a specific date: 17-07-81. If the computer is an IBM PC (as it appears to be) then the IBM Model 5150 Personal Computer did not go on sale until August 12th 1981, almost a month later.

Continuity: In episode one, Alex Drake logs on to the computer in Gene Hunt's office. A shot shows the date: 17-07-1981. However, on a wall calendar Alex creates at her flat, the date of July 20th 1981 is circled, with the word "ARRIVED" written in large letters. That implies she arrived in 1981 on July 20th and not the 17th. So, which is the correct date, and what happened to the 18th and 19th July 1981?

Factual error: At the start of episode two, Alex Drake is in her flat, on the sofa, flicking through the channels on the TV. We see, in quick sucession, clips from "The Nine O'Clock News", "Panorama", and "Nationwide". However, all three of these progammes were, in July 1981 (the episode is specifically dated 23rd July 1991), broadcast on the same channel (BBC 1) and at different times on different days, not at the same time on different channels.

Factual error: One of the songs played on the boat party is too early for july 1981. "Ay Ay Ay Ay Mosey" by Modern Romance was a Christmas time hit that year.

Factual error: Episode 3 - the white Ford transit van used in the chase at the start of the show is a 1983 model.

Factual error: I can remember the early 80s. The country was in recession and there were certainly no Thatcherite yuppies about. They didn't show until 1985/86 onwards.

Factual error: During a scene in ep 3 when Gene and Alex are talking in the police station, a poster from the 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only can be seen in the far distance. This is correct, and 'in period' for July 1981. However, next to it, on the left, is a promotional photo of Kelly LeBrock in a red dress taken for the film Weird Science which was released in 1985.

Factual error: In episode two, "Souvenir" by OMD was featured. It was not released until a month after the royal wedding that year.

Factual error: In episode 5, an austin maestro van can be seen parked outside the police station. These did not start production until 1984.

Factual error: While the police are in the nightclub, the Human League's song "Don't You Want Me" can be heard playing. This was the Christmas number one in 1981, and wouldn't have been released during the summer.

Factual error: The Vauxhall Cavalier seen in episode 6 wasn't on sale until September 1981.

Factual error: Yet another 1983 model transit van can be seen in episode 5 the third one in this series.

Factual error: In Episode 6 when everyone is getting into the Audi, there is a MK4 blue Ford Escort in the background which wasn't manufactured until 85-86.

Factual error: In Episode 5, when Chris and Ray pull away in the green car to Garside workshops, a white modern day Mercedes Sprinter van is visible behind them (immediately in front of the red Vauxhall Cavalier that drives past which, incidentally, is also out of place for 1981).

Factual error: During the motorbike chase at the start, the Audi screeches around a corner and narrowly misses a pedestrian. When Gene shouts "what's up with you this morning, you haven't got the decorators in again.", modern day vehicles including a white LDV pickup truck (you can tell by the grille badge) can be seen in the background.

Factual error: In episode 5, have we moved on into 1982? "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers and "Ghosts" by Japan are used. Alex's wall chart still has her in 1981, to the best of my knowledge. These two songs were not released that year.

Factual error: When Alex's mother opens her front door to her, an Austin Maestro drives past the house. These did not start production until 1983.