The ending of ‘Tip Toe’ explained: is it based on a true story?
Russell T Davies, the writer behind It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk , returns with a new miniseries about online radicalisation and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ hostility. Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, Tip Toe follows the growing tension between gay bar owner Leo Struthers
Russell T Davies, the writer behind It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk , returns with a new miniseries about online radicalisation and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ hostility.
Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, Tip Toe follows the growing tension between gay bar owner Leo Struthers and his electrician neighbour Clive Goss.
The show’s supporting cast includes Elizabeth Berrington, Denise Welch, Pooky Quesnel, Jackson Connor, Joseph Evans, Iz Hesketh, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Gabriel Clark and Paul Rhys.
All five episodes of Tip Toe , directed by Peter Hoar, are available to stream on Channel 4 .
The ending of Tip Toe is revealed at the start of the series, with Leo Struthers (Alan Cumming) seen hanging off a lamppost outside his house. From this point, the show jumps back 10 days prior, where we follow the events that lead up to this harrowing tragedy.
The full context around Leo’s death is shown in the final episode. Clive (David Morrissey) is hosting a football watch party at his house with his sons George (Jackson Connor) and Saul (Joseph Evans), along with several of his mates. Leo, meanwhile, is spending the day with his close friend Stephanie (Elizabeth Berrington) next door.
After seeing some videos online of George being tormented by the other guys at the party, Zee Malone (Iz Hesketh), who had befriended George the previous night, decides to go round to his house to check on his wellbeing. However, this angers George, who is concerned that by being seen with her, it will expose his sexuality to his father and the rest of his family.
Zee’s presence triggers a gradual escalation in events. She encourages Leo to go next door to check on George, but while he’s over at the house, he’s grilled about his intentions with Clive’s son. This spirals as a photo is blown up on the TV screen showing George in make-up from the previous night, which, with encouragement from the group of lads, makes Clive explode into a seething rage as he pins Leo against the wall.
