Stay Lucky

On the run from the London underworld, Thomas Gynn bumps into recently widowed, northern businesswoman Sally Hardcastle at an A1 service station and, more by chance than design, the two reluctantly end up sharing a houseboat.

At one point, Thomas - ducking and diving - drives minicabs in Newcastle, while headstrong Sally runs her narrowboat charter company in Yorkshire.

By the third series, Thomas has spent time behind bars and Sally has long since left the scene. Thomas then saves the life of Samantha Mansfield, administrator of the Yorkshire Industrial Museum, who gives him a job and more besides, before he enjoys a fling in Eastern Europe with Isabel, a British trade official in Hungary.

Finally, Jo, a dancer, becomes the new girl in his life. Pippa and Lively, two old friends, are usually on the scene, too, as is Franklyn Bysouth, Thomas's one-time cellmate. Now a dodgy businessman, he takes Thomas under his wing and offers him work.