Russell T Davies’s Channel 4 drama has been hailed by viewers as powerful must-watch television after the finale was made free to stream.
The five-part thriller Tip Toe stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as neighbours in a humdrum Manchester suburb.
But their lives are turned upside down when queer bar owner Leo (Cumming) gives his straight neighbour Clive (Morrissey) a spare key to his house.
We knew the drama would end on a harrowing note, as the show’s first scene sped us on in a flashforward to the haunting finale, before rewinding to tell the story of how the main characters came to be in such a terrible situation.
** Spoilers for the Tip Toe finale follow **
The nightmarish finale episode sees Leo hanged from a lamppost outside his home by Clive and his friends, after the electrician’s masculinity is called into question.
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They’re scenes which Channel 4 viewers have understandably found incredibly distressing to watch, but which Davies has received praise for penning.
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Taking to X after streaming the finale, Stevo described it as ‘one of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen in my life,’ adding that they were ‘in bits’ over it.
Tracey similarly said it was ‘heartbreaking’, adding: ‘If you haven’t watched it, do so; dark but true of today’s society.’
‘The last 15 minutes of Tip Toe are some of the most harrowing 15 minutes of a TV drama I’ve seen for quite some time (if ever),’ wrote Matthew Jackson.
Broadcaster India Willoughby tweeted: ‘Just watched the final episode of Tip Toe – please watch. So important. The ending is up there with the most powerful TV there has been. Takes your breath away.’
She praised Davies before adding: ‘F*** TERFS – because they are the poison behind what is happening. Well done Channel 4 for showing this.’
Traz wrote: ‘Tip Toe was good. Terrifying insight into the white British male mindset.’
The show has seen Davies reunite with the executive producer and director of It’s a Sin. They have once again delivered a nuanced and urgent insight into the LGBTQ+ community, this time particularly focusing on the culture wars raging around them.
As one of Leo’s gay friends says of their experience in the queer community amid rollbacks to diversity and inclusion: ‘I used to walk into a room and go “Ta-da!” Now I tiptoe, just in case.’
Tip Toe is available to stream on Channel 4.
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