The plot centred on Hancock's character, John Hanley, a teacher of physical education who lived happily and lazily alone in a flat in the fictional area of Southbridge, London, until his old school friend, ambitious and obnoxious businessman Harry Dunstan (played by Dennis), returns from working in France and moves in with him. Punt's character, the unemployed but intelligent Mark Prior, lives nearby but was forever visiting the others after arguing with his parents. The six-part series was continuous in its plot, with Harry trying to win back the affections of girlfriend Clare (played by Adie Allen) with whom he had declined to keep in touch while in France. The other regular characters were Hanley's upstairs neighbours Helen and Todd (played by Harriet Thorpe and Ron Donachie), a reformed but still scary ex-convict and his wife, who was his probation officer. A running theme is Harry's discomfort with Todd living above due to his prejudice against criminals, even reformed ones.