Channel 4 viewers have been left speechless after the finale of Russell T Davies's drama Tip Toe, which has been praised as powerful and must-watch television. The five-part thriller stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as neighbours in a quiet Manchester suburb. Their lives are turned upside down when queer bar owner Leo (Cumming) gives his straight neighbour Clive (Morrissey) a spare key to his home.
The drama's ending was foreshadowed in the opening scene, which flashed forward to a haunting finale before rewinding to show how the characters arrived at such a terrible situation.
Spoilers for the Tip Toe finale follow
The nightmarish final episode sees Leo hanged from a lamppost outside his home by Clive and his friends, after the electrician's masculinity is called into question. These scenes have been incredibly distressing for viewers, but Davies has received widespread praise for his writing.
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 called it 'heartbreaking', saying: 'If you haven't watched it, do so; dark but true of today's society.'
Matthew Jackson wrote: '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).' 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 focusing on the culture wars raging around them. As one of Leo's gay friends says: '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.
