Lily Setback (Patsy Byrne originally, and thence Patsy Rowland) was the mother of a family dogged by misfortune. Aided by a capacious knitting bag stuffed with leaflets on every subject under the sun, she adroitly steered her brood through the complexities of the Welfare State.
First aired in 1980, this unique sitcom from Thames Television provided public information messages about social welfare in Britain, designed to help ordinary people understand their rights in matters such as medical care, redundancy, unfair dismissal, pregnancy and many other subjects.
The series was accompanied by actual leaflets available to viewers.
The final series turned the spotlight on the clumsiest member of the family, Barry (played initially by Andrew Paul and then by Glyn Grinstead) and was briefly retitled Barry Setback and the Big Wide World.
Lily Setback
Patsy Byrne (1)
Patsy Rowlands (2) Sylvia Setback
Kim Taylforth Larry Setback
John Cater (1)
Robin Parkinson (2)
Patrick Connor (3) Barry Setback
Andrew Paul (1)
Glyn Grimstead (2) Mary Setback
Mary Ellen O’Neill (1)
Stella Goodier (2) Gran
Mollie Maureen (1)
Una Brandon-Jones (2) Various
Reginald Marsh
Derek Royle
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