Veterans of the African campaign and Army mates Ian Deasey (Griff Rhys Jones) and Dick Dobson (Martin Clunes) are demobilised at the close of World War II. Ian returns to his wife Janet (Amanda Redman) and his young son Alan and his boring pre-war job at the local council. Dick poses as a flight squadron leader so he can live in style at the Allied Officer's Club. He convinces Ian to perform a two man comedy routine with him in Soho.
Ian is sacked after too many late nights performing as one half of his new comedy partnership. Ian and Dick befriend beautiful dancer Hedda (Samantha Womack) who is looking for her husband. Meanwhile, Dick assists shady businessman Rudy Lormier with his dealings and becomes the manager of The Blue Parrot nightclub.
Deasey and Dobson get a three week booking in Liverpool opening for comedy legend Moreton Stanley (Les Dawson). When their routine arouses audience hatred they must enlist Hedda to assist them. Janet grows increasingly frustrated with her husband's absence when Alan comes down with chicken pox.
Disgusted with his behavior, Janet kicks her husband out of the house and decides to take a job at the surgery working for Dr. Pollock. Hedda and Ian try to form an act without Dick, but it ends in disaster. An opportunity for Ian and Dick to earn cash by helping Lorimer with a summer camp goes awry when they meet and try to help some fellow veterans.
Things heat up between Janet and her boss. Ian and Dick find a job working on a BBC Radio children's radio programme opposite a neurotic ventriloquist. While singing in a swanky new nightclub, Hedda receives some devastating news.
Ian decides to stand by Dick when he discovers a shocking secret and Hedda becomes a film actress. Moreton Stanley offers Ian a job and he and Janet make a decision concerning their marriage.
