Kiss Me Kate

1 9 9 8 – 2 0 0 0 (UK)
22 x 30 minute episodes

This BBC comedy series starred Caroline Quentin as Kate Salinger, a counsellor/psychotherapist whose bumbling business partner, Doulas Fielding (Chris Langham), was permanently-depressed and slightly sex-mad – and secretly in love with Kate, but he couldn’t tell her (even though he was sleeping in her spare room).

Kate also had to contend with unrequited romantic advances from her attractive but dimwitted travel agent neighbour Craig (Darren Boyd) – who insisted a “Mr Paint” ran the paint shop bearing his name – and the love-sick Tony (Cliff Parisi), the Italian owner of the local wine bar.

Amanda Holden played Kate’s dolly bird secretary, Mel, who had some great one-liners.

Thanks to razor-sharp timing, economical – almost spartan – writing, and some of the best comic acting on television, Kiss Me Kate was a superior British sitcom.

Kate Salinger
Caroline Quentin
Douglas Fielding
Chris Langham
Mel
Amanda Holden
Craig Chapman
Darren Boyd
Tony
Cliff Parisi