About
James Shelley, an educated, sardonic, permanently unemployed "professional freelance layabout," has many battles with authority, the tax-man, his landlady, and his girlfriend Fran.
Cast
Josephine Tewson
as
Samantha Beckinsale
as
Garfield Morgan
as
Warren Clarke
as
Hywel Bennett
as
Belinda Sinclair
as
Seasons
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Series 5
Series 6
The Return of Shelley
Shelley is (still) separated from Fran, and lives on his own, doing his best to avoid obtaining gainful employment. The series begins with Shelley returning to the UK from Kuwait after teaching English for several years, only to find that his calls to his old friends are now screened by answering machines and that yuppieness has taken root in his old neighbourhood.
Series 8
Series 9
Series 10
Shelley is now a lodger with Ted Bishop. Ted's house is the only one left in his street, the other residences having been demolished to make way for a leisure centre. Shelley moves in as lodger to help Ted with his fight against the developers who want to demolish the house Ted has lived in his whole life.
Episodes
Series 1
Moving In
Shelley and his girlfriend Fran are looking for accomadation. After viewing unsuitable properties, they find a room at Mrs Hawkins' house.
The Nelson Touch
Shelley isn't impressed when his local pub is destined for a kitsch makeover. He gets yet more grief at the Labour Exchange, who seem determined to put an end to his cushy lifestyle and endless payouts. Meanwhile, Fran has some news that may make him finally want to change his layabout ways.
Gainfully Employed
Following a drunken evening stint as Nelson at the Victory pub, Shelley wakes up in the morning next to a strange woman. He has some serious explaining to do, not to mention waking up to the reality of finding some permanent gainful employment.
The Distaff Side
Shelley has finally completed his week doing a 'proper' job at an advertising agency, but is a bit shocked when he sees how much tax is deducted from his first pay packet. Could it be that proposing marriage to Fran will lessen his financial burdens and provide much-needed tax relief?
Elders and Betters
Visiting a health shop, Shelley is appalled at the high prices of some of the items. The moment he and Fran have long dreaded has arrived. Travelling by train, they arrive at the country home/farm of Gordon Smith, Fran's rich Dad.
May the Best Man Win
Shelley is reunited with his oldest friend, Ned, whom he asks to be best man at his forthcoming wedding. Ned, unfortunately, is a 'Jack The Lad' type who loves to drink, smoke, and make love.
Nowt So Queer
Shelley's attempts to prepare a dinner party meet with continual interruptions. A Jehovah's Witness is at the door and won't go away, plus the neighbour thinks Mrs H is on the game.
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