Diddle Diddle Dumpling (Inside No. 9)

"Diddle Diddle Dumpling"
Inside No. 9 episode
Reece Shearsmith as David, Keeley Hawes as Louise, and Rosa Strudwick as Sally in a publicity photograph for "Diddle Diddle Dumpling"
Episode no.	Series 3 Episode 5
Directed by	Guillem Morales
Written by	Steve Pemberton Reece Shearsmith
Editing by	Joe Randall-Cutler
Original air date	14 March 2017 (2017-03-14)
Guest appearances
Keeley Hawes as Louise Rosa Strudwick as Sally Danny Baker as a DJ Mathew Baynton as Ted
Episode chronology
← Previous "Empty Orchestra" Next → "Private View"

"Diddle Diddle Dumpling" is the fifth episode of the third series of the British black comedy anthology television series Inside No. 9. It was written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and first aired on 14 March 2017, on BBC Two. The episode, which was directed by Guillem Morales, follows the story of David, played by Shearsmith, a middle class stay-at-home dad, who happens across a lone black shoe. Much to the concern of his wife Louise, played by Keeley Hawes, he becomes obsessed with finding the shoe's owner. The episode follows the development of his obsession. Rosa Strudwick plays Sally, David and Louise's daughter, and Pemberton plays Chris, a family friend. Danny Baker voices a radio presenter, and Mathew Baynton also appears.

The episode was inspired by Pemberton's own chance encounter with a single shoe. The episode is split into four, corresponding to the four seasons, and features extracts of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. The cinematography features many views of symmetrical pairs of objects, as well as shots of empty rooms. The device of the seasons, as well as the music and cinematography, relate to David's emotional state. Critics responded very positively to "Diddle Diddle Dumpling", particularly praising Morales's direction and the performances of Shearsmith, Hawes, and Baynton.