In this episode, Sandra remarks, "The Traveling Wilburys have returned." Coincidentally, the theme song to this show, "It's Alright" (2003) is often compared to a song by The Traveling Wilburys ("End of the Line" 1989), which also uses the refrain "It's all right." End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys was playing over the credits of the pilot episode for this tv-series.
When Sandra Pullman says to Gerry Standing, "What part of the 'Life On Mars' playbook did you get that from?" she is referring to the popular police series shown on British television just a couple of years previously, which was set in the 1970s.
Lionel Haft had previously appeared with Dennis Waterman in episodes of Minder and The Sweeney.