Showpeople: Licensed to Thrill

What is a showperson? Run away with the fair and join the family firms who bring the shows to towns and villages across the country. Meet three generations of the Taylor family as they set up in Grangemouth, and find out from finance guru Sarah Sheeran exactly what is involved in buying rides costingt half a million pounds. And meet father-and-son duo Trevor and Kristan Smith as they battle wet weather and family squabbles in Airdrie.

Join the Hiscoe family as they juggle a busy summer season in Ardrossan while looking after two kids and reflect on their decision to move away from the traditional showman lifestyle.

It’s Danger Night in Bathgate, and Christian Horne is struggling to open after two days of torrential rain.

Sixty rides and £100 million of equipment – Kirkcaldy Links Market is the pinnacle of the showmen calendar. However, Christian Horne’s Freak Out ride is playing up and he needs to fix it in time for opening.

Lovebirds Margaret and Randall have been married for over 50 years. But when it came time to retire, the couple just couldn’t leave the showman life behind, so they packed up their bags and rejoined the fair.

As the summer draws to a close, the showmen reflect on what the future holds. Margaret and Randall contemplate family as they consider that none of their children have followed them into the fairground business. The Hornes are in the Black Isle, and both father and son look at their different management styles. And an ambitious young showman sets out to start his own empire.