Hey Hey We're The Monks

Nearly thirty, unemployed and single, Gary Woodcroft (played by James Corden from Gavin & Stacey) has never done a single useful thing in his life. Allowed, through some clerical error, to collect benefits uninterrupted for more than 10 years, Gary has cost the taxpayer more than the war. But all that is about to change.

There aren't many places so chronically understaffed that they'd take on someone of Gary's prospects (nil) so the unexpected vacancy at Buckley Abbey is a Godsend. Plus the food's free, the accommodation's free and, if he's honest, the vow of celibacy doesn't make that much difference.

This BBC Two pilot, which was filmed on the 20th February 2008 and titled Monk And Disorderly, also starred David Bamber (Chalk), Fergus Craig (Comedy Shuffle), Justin Edwards (The Thick Of It) and Geoffrey Whitehead (The Worst Week Of My Life). It is based on the Radio 2 show of the same name.

In 2014, a new TV version was made starring Seann Walsh under the title Monks. This was shown on BBC One.