When his wife dies after he has spent a decade nursing her through illness, teacher Ted Fenwick (Russ Abbott in his first “straight” acting role) joins his washed-up, alcoholic, comedian friend Billy Balsam (Michael Williams) in Blackpool, where Billy has been offered a job as a compere at the Magic Cat Club
Billy is forced to confront his destructive lifestyle and health choices, while Ted falls in love and experiences fresh heartbreak.
Following Billy’s near-fatal heart attack, the second series relocated the two men to Greece, but they were back at the British seaside (Cromer in Norfolk) for the third and final series.
Billy attempted to reconcile with his estranged family, while Ted discovered a new sense of purpose within the theatre world.
The show was originally written by Ken Blakeson as a BBC Radio 4 series in 1991 before being adapted for television.
Ted Fenwick
Russ Abbot Billy Balsam
Michael Williams Arnie
Michael Angelis Cilla
Susan Brown Katherine Hillyard
Diana Quick Roxy/Jenny
Julie Peasgood
Billy is forced to confront his destructive lifestyle and health choices, while Ted falls in love and experiences fresh heartbreak.
Ted Fenwick
