Developed from a pilot screening in itv's 1995 comedy firsts season, this acclaimed sitcom cast gwen taylor as barbara liversidge, a blunt talking, heftily opinionated, advice giving, occasionally ranting yorkshirewoman. Sam kelly porridge stars as ted, barbara's cab driver husband of 35 years and a man who learned long ago to play second fiddle, while sherrie hewson coronation street is her nouveau riche sister, jean the victim of many a withering look and practised put down. Mark gatiss the league of gentlemen, joanna van gyseghem duty free, helen atkinson wood blackadder, jean alexander and roy barraclough coronation street, and singer and actress julie driscoll also appear in this second series, originally screened in 2000 and 2001.