Miranda

Miranda is desperate to fit in, but can't. Her public school background and posh accent make her a misfit down the pub. She has never fitted in with 'the girls' (not least because she's a foot taller than them) and due to years of agoraphobic tendencies she doesn't know how to behave socially or how to avoid embarrassment, especially around men.

Miranda owns a joke shop but relies on her friend Stevie to do all the hard work. Miranda is too busy falling over, dressing up and trying to find a man to get any work done.

Stevie

Stevie is Miranda's childhood friend. Up-tight and businesslike, Stevie tries to run their business like she's competing to be Alan Sugar's apprentice, but her principal task is keeping Miranda's childish absurdities under control.

Stevie is a really good friend, and whenever Miranda is feeling down or depressed Stevie is there to cheer her up.

Stevie does a great impression of Heather Small's 'What have you done today'.

Penny

Penny is Miranda's mum. Penny is desperate for her daughter to get a proper job, or even better, a husband, but Miranda's happiest playing with and making up silly games in her joke shop.

Penny is posh and snobby. At one point she runs to be local councillor with policies like 'M&S on the NHS', 'A restraining order for the whole of Essex', and Tax breaks for anyone who will marry Miranda.

Penny's catch-phrases include 'Such Fun!' and 'What I call...'

Gary

Miranda has been in love with handsome Gary for as long as she can remember. Gary would appear to quite like Miranda too, but unfortunately she always manages to make a complete fool of herself in front of him.

Gary is a chef at the local restaurant - the eatery near Miranda's shop. Somewhere Miranda regularly goes.

Miranda always seems to manage to embarrass herself in front of Gary, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Gary doesn't only have eyes for Miranda though, he has previously been married (on a technicality) and is in Series 3 dating Rose.

Tilly

Tilly is Miranda's posh friend from school. She's a bit of a 'sloane ranger' and often shows Miranda up by having a better job and love life.

Miranda doesn't actually like Tilly, so it is a bit of a mystery why she still agrees to spend time with her.

One senses that, underneath all the confidence and smiles, Tilly is actually a bit lonely.

Tilly has an annoying habit of halting all conversations in the room and saying 'bear with' as she answers phone calls and txt messages.

Mike (Series 3)

Mike is Miranda's love interest in Series 3.

Miranda first bumps into Mike when one of his TV reports (he is a local news reporter) included Miranda in the background. They later bumped into each other in a nightclub and soon realised they liked each other.

Mike is very forgiving and understanding of Miranda's many mishaps and seems willing to go on more dates with her.

Rose (Series 3)

Rose is Gary's new girlfriend. She is young, good looking, energetic and happy.

Miranda doesn't do much to hide the fact she thinks Rose isn't good enough for Gary.

Clive (Series 1-2)

Camp Clive regularly manages to get himself tangled up in Miranda's life in the first two series of the show. He is the manager of Wilson's Restaurant.

Clive is always up for a joke, some of which can be quite bitchy. He never seemed to do any work. We're not quite sure where he is now - it's not been mentioned in the show.