Pick Ups: The Complete Series 1 and 2

The darkly comic ups and downs of a Manchester taxi company

Dave is one of Irwell Cars' best drivers, although his life doesn't always reflect that. A run-down office with an uncertain future, Irwell Cars isn't offering Dave much - except the chance to pine after Lind, the long-suffering radio operator and his secret crush, and panic over what will become of him if the firm closes. Add in a crucial darts match, a 'Brief Encounter' themed date night, some former school bullies and a rather difficult omelette, and Dave is beginning to feel like even his pick ups are bringing him down...

Each episode shares a self-contained tale from the backseat tippers of the after-hours city, as well as unravelling a little more of the life stories of the bantering drivers as they navigate the hard shoulder of a thing called life.

Starring John Thomson (Cold Feet, The Fast Show), Sally Lindsay (Coronation Street, Mount Pleasant), Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Clocking Off), Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Gentleman Jack), Paul Loughran (Emmerdale Farm, Blue Murder) and Ash Tandon (Bodyguard, The Phantom of the Open), this dark comedy about unrequited love, lost opportunities, and earning a (mostly) honest wage is just the listen for fans of Deep Trouble, To Hull and Back, and Reluctant Persuaders.

Cast and credits

Lind - Sally Lindsay (Series 1)

Lind - Lesley Sharp (Series 2)

Mike / Kenny / Timmy / Taffy - John Thomson (Series 1)

Mike - Paul Loughran (Series 2)

Dave / Doctor - Philip Rowson

Alan / Rebel / Brad - Ash Tandon (Series 1)

Rebel - Parvez Qadir (Series 2)

Drunk - Mark E. Smith

Teri - Claire Bleasdale
Andrew - Paul Warriner
Pat - Andrew Grose

Tony - Lee Warburton

Jess - Fiona Clarke

Olive - Lisa George

Stevie - Suranne Jones

Carol-Ann - Anne Hornby

Shelly - Naomi Radcliffe
Ashley - Jonathan Mayor
Darren - Chris Hoyle

Tanya - Janie Connolly

Simon De Vere - James Quinn

Johnny - Peter Keeley

With Claire Coleman

Written by Ian Kershaw

Produced by Paul Hardy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 10 January - 14 February 2008 (Series 1), 15 October - 19 November 2009 (Series 2)

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