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The huge success of Steptoe and Son belied the difficult relationship between the show's stars, Harry H. Corbett and Wilfred Brambell. Off-screen, Corbett's marriage was in trouble, while Brambell, a homosexual, was arrested for importuning. When Brambell quits the show to star on Broadway, Corbett - now typecast - looks forward to the show's new dynamic without Brambell. But the failure of Brambell's Broadway show leads to his return.

After his alcoholism and depression result in his admittance to hospital, Tony Hancock is invited by his friend, John Le Mesurier, to stay with him. Hancock soon begins an affair with Le Mesurier's wife, Joan. Hancock's drinking puts a strain on their relationship. Joan tells Hancock she will leave Le Mesurier and marry him, but only if he can stay sober. With the opportunity to revive his career with a new television series, Hancock leaves for Australia, confident he can win back Joan. It's a journey from which he will never return.

Hughie Green's womanising lead to the collapse of his marriage and alienated his children. His affair with Jess Yate's wife, Elaine, would lead to the revelation of one of the biggest secrets in British show business.