British Comedy Guide
Deep Trouble. Image shows from L to R: Commander Alison Fairbanks (Katherine Jakeways), Petty Officer Lucy Radcliffe (Miranda Raison), Lieutenant Jack Trainor (Ben Willbond), Captain Paul Wade (Jim Field Smith). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions
Deep Trouble

Deep Trouble

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2005 - 2007
  • 8 episodes (2 series)

Radio sitcom set on HMS Goliath, a nuclear submarine - manned by idiots. Written by and starring Jim Field Smith and Ben Willbond. Stars Jim Field Smith, Katherine Jakeways, Ben Willbond, Miranda Raison, Alice Lowe and more.

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Character guide

Deep Trouble. Captain Paul Wade (Jim Field Smith). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions / BBC

Captain Paul Wade

AKA: "Fatty" Wade.  Captain of the HMS Goliath.   Played by: Jim Field Smith

Paul "Fatty" Wade is in charge of one the most advanced submarines in the world. Sadly, he is not the smartest of commanders. The only thing he seems to care about is when lunch is coming. He only became head of HMS Goliath due to a clerical mix-up which Paul Wade with one Pete Wade.

Deep Trouble. Commander Alison Fairbanks (Katherine Jakeways). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions / BBC

Commander Alison Fairbanks

First Officer and Second-in-command.   Played by: Katherine Jakeways

Alison is second in charge of the HMS Golitah. She is a strictly old school woman, who when is not on board the submarine, likes to spend her time playing hockey. When it comes to love she is not so lucky, but it could be the case that Captain Wade is the man for her.

Deep Trouble. Lieutenant Jack Trainor (Ben Willbond). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions / BBC

Lieutenant Jack Trainor

Third-in-command.   Played by: Ben Willbond

HMS Goliath's third-in-command is painfully aware that his fellow officers are totally incompetent, and makes no attempt to hide it. Thus, he is the most hated man on the submarine and even top brass refer to him as an arse. He also goes to great lengths to correct people on the pronunciation of his name: apparently it's 'Tren-oor', but no-one takes notice.

Deep Trouble. Petty Officer Lucy Radcliffe (Miranda Raison). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions / BBC

Petty Officer Lucy Radcliffe (Series 1)

Petty officer and PA.   Played by: Miranda Raison

Lucy mainly works as Wade's PA. She is incredibly sexy and often uses her attractiveness to her advantage, from get her own way with Trainor, to more unusual jobs such as getting journalists off the submarine and onto a dingy.

Lieutenant Barry (Series 2)

AKA: Lieutenant Alice Barry.  Computer and Weapons Expert.   Played by: Alice Lowe

Barry is a woman. Her first name is actually Alice, but she insists that everyone calls her Barry, and anyone who does not or tries to exchange pleasantries with her often ends up the worse off. This is not a good thing especially as she is HMS Goliath's weapons expert and is so good at computers she can cut off you air supply using the air vent system at a whim.

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