 This was Yorkshire Televisions first adaptation of one of Reginald  Hills "Dalziel and Pascoe" books. Hill reportedly hated it so much  that he refused to sanction any of his other books for TV adaptation  and the BBC went to great lengths to persuade him otherwise. He said  about the "A Pinch of Snuff" adaptation: "Hale and Pace wanted to  try their hands at more dramatic roles. I just wish theyd tried it  with someone elses books."