Michael Williams and Lisa Coleman star in this six-part family sitcom set in a village pub

Landlord Jack and his daughter Nicola used to be close – when she was seven, and all she talked about was ponies. Now she’s 26 and works in the City, and they’ve drifted apart. So when she comes back for a Christmas visit and announces she wants to stay and help manage the pub, he’s less than thrilled. Barmaid Mrs Drummond is unimpressed too – she’s never liked Nicola – but regular customer Andy is delighted she’s back home.

Adapting to being a co-landlord is difficult for Jack, who’s run things single-handed since Nicola’s mum died. He’s a creature of habit, an old dog who won’t be taught new tricks. Having his grown-up daughter around all the time is a challenge, especially when she breaks his favourite bowl and keeps insisting he talk about his feelings. But neither Jack nor Nicola wants to call time on their relationship – can they accept each other’s foibles and find a way to reconnect?

Created by veteran Coronation Street writer Joe Turner, this warm-hearted comedy drama stars Michael Williams (A Fine Romance) as Jack and Lisa Coleman (The Story of Tracy Beaker) as Nicola, with Simon Greenall (I’m Alan Partridge) as Andy and Cherry Morris (Mapp and Lucia) as Mrs Drummond.


Production credits
Written by Joe Turner
Produced by Liz Anstee

Cast
Jack – Michael Williams
Nicola – Lisa Coleman
Mrs Drummond – Cherry Morris
Andy – Simon Greenall
Brian/Steve/Derek/Joe/Various – Toby Longworth
Andy’s Mum/The Inspector – Sally Grace
Arthur – Finetime Fontayne
Ralph – John Duttine
Kirstie – Debra Stephenson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 7 January-11 February 1999