The series featured the exploits of Victor Meldrew, an irascible pensioner with attitude, played by Scottish born actor Richard Wilson. His catchphrase was, I don't believe it! (occasionally rendered as I do not believe it!) His long-suffering wife Margaret was played by Annette Crosbie. The other most consistent supporting character was a family friend, Jean Warboys, played by Doreen Mantle. Other regular characters were next door neighbour Patrick Trench, played by Angus Deayton, (who invariably discovered Victor in inexplicably bizarre or compromising situations) his wife Pippa played by Janine Duvitski and overly cheery charity worker Nick Swainey, played by Owen Brenman.