Set in The Grapes, where the daily life of the locals, including jack-the-lads Joe and Duffy, landlord Ken and his police officer cronies Phil and Nige, old git Tommy and single mum Janice - revolves around love, loneliness and urinals.

The show centres on pub landlord Ken (John Henshaw), especially his preoccupation with his daughter Melanie (Christine Bottomley), and his nervous relationship with barmaid Tanya (Susan Cookson). Ken's wife left him for his best friend. The series reflects more than a little of the Northern humour displayed in The Royle Family (co-written by Cash). In a similar style to The Royle Family, every scene unfolds within the spatial context of The Grapes and it is also set in the Greater Manchester area.—John Mullee