British Comedy Guide
The Break. Image shows from L to R: Shobna Gulati, Fish Shop Frank (Mark Benton), Andy Chambers (Tom Palmer), Uncle Jeff (Philip Jackson), Rasmus Hardiker, Alison Steadman
The Break

The Break

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2016 - 2022
  • 24 episodes (4 series)

Radio 4 sitcom about a man who heads to the seaside for a break and stays with his uncle. Stars Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer, Alison Steadman, Mark Benton, James Northcote and more.

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The Break. Image shows from L to R: Shobna Gulati, Fish Shop Frank (Mark Benton), Andy Chambers (Tom Palmer), Uncle Jeff (Philip Jackson), Rasmus Hardiker, Alison Steadman

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
2016 - 2022
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
24 (4 series)
Stars
Philip Jackson, Tom Palmer, Alison Steadman, Mark Benton, James Northcote, Shobna Gulati and Rasmus Hardiker
Writers
Ian Brown and James Hendrie
Director
Gordon Kennedy
Producer
Gordon Kennedy
Company

The Break is set in the fictional Yorkshire coastal town of Flamford - the seaside town sanity forgot - and features retired resident, Jeff Whittaker and his estranged London-bred financial whizz-kid nephew, Andy Chambers, who has arrived unannounced and stressed-out in desperate need of peace and quiet.

Andy gets neither of these as Jeff takes it upon himself to cure all of Andy's ills in a series of comic and poignant adventures around the town. Each week they meet Jeff's regular friends, Fish Shop Frank, Pest Control Supervisor, Corinne who has an 'arrangement' with Jeff every second Thursday, and Joyce Rickles from The Copper Kettle Café, who is constantly startled by everything, most of all her flamethrower toaster.

Over the first series, Jeff and Andy form an unlikely double act and whether it's trying to claim a free dinner at the local posh hotel or attempting to recycle a fridge, there are a host of Flamford residents getting in the way, from pompous self-interested Derek Horrox The Mayor, and punctilious and pedantic PC Clarke to extremely-pleased-with-herself local minister, The Reverend Beverley.

When Series 2 begins, Andy has been living with Jeff for a few months now, and their relationship has developed into one of edgy tolerance. Andy is now more likely to push back against Jeff's wiles and schemes, and Jeff is less wary of pushing Andy too far.

Series 3 - which sees James Northcote take over from Tom Palmer as Andy - continues the adventures in Flamford.

Series 4 sees Tom Palmer returning as Andy for more adventures.

Catch-up

Additional details

Also known as
  • Shortscreen: The Break
Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 30th May 2016 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • The Soundhouse Studios - Series 4

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