Stockport, So Good They Named It Once

All 12 episodes featuring the comic goings-on of the Stockport-based Conroy family

Get ready to be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of family life, Stockport-style, as 15-year-old Jason introduces us to the Conroy clan. There''s dad Eddie, cabby and wannabe champion organist; mum Maureen, who''s easygoing but wasn''t born yesterday; older brother Michael, lead singer of The Sweater Girls; and sisters Colette (married to uptight bank clerk Dave) and Karen (newly returned from uni with a Sloane Ranger boyfriend).

In Series 1, Italian exchange Gian-Paolo arrives - and soon makes his presence unwelcome; Eddie scores tickets to Stockport County''s biggest ever match and Dave proudly brings home his new Ford Focus (but will he ever take the protective covers off the seats?) And in Series 2, the Conroys become the subject of an academic study; meet their rich new neighbours; and welcome a visitor bringing extra branches to their family tree. Meanwhile, Jason and Michael stake their claim in cyberspace and The Sweater Girls look set for their big break - just as Eddie leaves home...

Written by Murder on the Blackpool Express producer Jim Poyser, and author and actor Damian Lanigan, this light, entertaining sitcom - set in the real-life Stockport suburb of Edgeley - has a well-established sense of place and pitch-perfect local dialect. It stars Dominic Monaghan and Andrew Knott as Jason, with Jason Done as Michael, Beverly Callard as Maureen, and John McArdle and John Henshaw as Eddie. Special guests include sports commentator Alan Green and DJs Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley.

Production credits
Written by Jim Poyser and Damian Lanigan
Recorded by Rex Brough
Music by Big George
With thanks to Justin Sbresni and Jon Plowman
Produced by Neil Mossey

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 August-29 September 1999 (Series 1), 4 October-8 November 2000 (Series 2)

Cast
Jason - Dominic Monaghan/Andrew Knott
Michael - Jason Done
Dave - Stefan Escreet
Eddie - John McArdle/John Henshaw
Colette - Emma Clarke
Maureen - Beverley Callard
Debbie/Karen - Jo-Anne Knowles
Gian-Paolo - Stefan Escreet
Gran - Ann Rye
Father Ryan/Hugo/Barry/Colin - Chris Pavlo
Mr Bickerstaff - Dan Maier
Alan Green - Himself
Brian - Brian Poyser
Mr Owen - Richard Davies
Larry - Rolf Saxon
Claudine - Brigit Forsyth
Gordon - Robin Bowerman
Yvonne - Romy Baskerville
Roddy - John Jardine
Helena - Marsha Thomason
Jim - Jack Smethurst
Carl/Stu - Damian Lanigan
Damian - Jim Poyser
Bernie - Emily Fleeshman
Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley - Themselves

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