Quirke out of BOAF after huge row with Robson

The frequent on-screen bickering between their characters Sharon Theodopolopodous and Tracey Stubbs appears to have exploded into the actors' real lives, prompting fears for the future of the long-running programme.

The lovable Birds reboot sees the trio slipping back into their roles to celebrate Christmas in Chigwell. Sharon (Pauline Quirke) is embarking on gift-shopping with a difference and Tracey (Linda Robson) has festive plans that could cause a ruck. And Lesley Joseph - who always steals the show as Dorien - is on a mission to solve a mystery. And, lo, with an Essex-style wink and some bawdy one-liners, a good old-fashioned Christmas special is born.

Radio Times review

"Bring in a regular wage or find someone else to ponce off!" is Tracey's ultimatum to Sharon shortly before chucking her sister and Dorien out on the street with a bin bag of clothes and no money. It means the pair must doss down for the night in less than salubrious surroundings, while we must face a barrage of jokes about evil-smelling toilets, crack dens and prostitutes.

Linda Robson spends most of the episode looking like a bulldog chewing a wasp although there is one scene between her and Pauline Quirke, who's holed up in a bookies, that gives you hope that this sitcom could return to its former glory.

Radio Times review

After tonight's thrilling instalment you may be left wondering which of the major protagonists are NOT actually related to each other. And while the web of coincidences could leave you gasping at times, there seems, with 18 days until the comet lands, a more plausible sense of a world facing imminent destruction than hitherto as we witness greater panic and ennui to go with all the abandoned streets, schools and banks.

And despite being introduced to a fabulously deranged Diana Rigg, this is also perhaps the most emotional and moving episode in a very strong series. Pauline Quirke in particular comes into her own as the wonderful Paula, who defends her son Jamie (Mat Baynton) like a cornered tigress.

From the off it was quite easy to ascertain that You, Me and The Apocalypse was a co-production between Sky and NBC as it featured several stars from the American network's biggest sitcoms. Despite the big American names the show is narrated by Slough Bank Manager Jamie (Mathew Baynton) who is still nursing a broken heart after his wife mysteriously disappeared shortly after their honeymoon. Things get worse for Jamie when he's arrested for cyber terrorism and discovers that he may have an identical twin who is the head of the organisation. This feeling is confirmed by his mother (Pauline Quirke) who reveals that she adopted him after finding him in a shoebox. As the story is told in flashbacks we also see several the stories of several other people who are sharing a bunker with Jamie as a meteor collides with the Earth. They include a naive nun (Gaia Scodallero) who arrives at the Vatican to work in the office of the Devil Advocate under the foul-mouthed Father Jude (Rob Lowe). Elsewhere we see Rhonda (Jenna Fischer) who takes the rap for a crime committed by her teenage son who hacked into the NSA network. Rhonda is soon befriended by white supremacist Leanne (Megan Mullally) with both ladies escaping prison once the end of the world is announced. The first episode of You, Me and The Apocalypse contained some big ideas and I felt it tackled them well for the most part. Writer Iain Hollands has come a long way since E4's Beaver Falls and has crafted some interesting characters who find themselves in bizarre situations. The cast, primarily the American stars, were great at handling the wittier lines of the script with Lowe and Mullaly being the stand outs for me. However, I was disappointed by Baynton who appeared to be playing the same character he portrayed in The Wrong Mans. Additionally I felt that the pace of the opener was rather slow which probably had something to do with the fact that it will be running for ten episodes. But despite this I would say that You, Me and The Apocalypse does have promise and I'll at least watch one more episode to see how it progresses.

Why You, Me And The Apocalypse is well worth watching

Rob Lowe and Pauline Quirke, together at last! Sky One's You, Me And The Apocalypse has that and plenty more to recommend it...