British Comedy Guide
The Great Outdoors. Image shows from L to R: Christine (Ruth Jones), Bob (Mark Heap)
The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Four
  • 2010
  • 3 episodes (1 series)

Three-part comedy series following the hikes, heartaches, friendships and rivalries of a group of ramblers. Stars Mark Heap and Ruth Jones. Stars Mark Heap, Ruth Jones, Steve Edge, Katherine Parkinson, Stephen Wight and more.

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Character guide

The Great Outdoors. Bob (Mark Heap). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Bob

Played by: Mark Heap

Bob is the organiser of the Mid-Bucks Walking Club. He has been running the club for a while, but is now battling Christine for the heart and soul of his treasured walking group. She's got a GPS and a lot of state-of-the-art hiking socks, whilst Bob is a technophobe.

The Great Outdoors. Christine (Ruth Jones). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Christine

Played by: Ruth Jones

The freakishly over-organised Christine is freshly arrived from Barnstaple, exiled for the local club there for a rambling crime she won't speak about. She soon becomes deputy leader of the Mid-Bucks Walking Club. Bob thinks he can handle this threat to his authority, but soon Christine is winning the hearts and minds of the group.

The Great Outdoors. Tom (Steve Edge). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Tom

Played by: Steve Edge

Tom is Bob's best friend. He is always wearing an army hat, and often brings along his metal detector on the group's walks too.

The Great Outdoors. Sophie (Katherine Parkinson). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Sophie

Stressed businesswoman Sophie comes walking with her husband Joe in an attempt to relax, but they do tend to get a bit stressful, and now Sophie's looking for another release in her life... which might just be young Victor.

The Great Outdoors. Joe (Stephen Wight). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Joe

Played by: Stephen Wight

Joe is Sophie's charming yet manipulative freeloading husband. He's got lots of gadgets and soon finds a friend in Victor. However, little does he realise that his wife has made a desperate leap for Victor.

The Great Outdoors. Victor (Joe Tracini). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Victor

Played by: Joe Tracini

17-year-old chess-loving geek Victor comes on the walks as he is in love with Bob's daughter Hazel whom he goes to school with. However, sadly for him, Hazel is mortified at his arrival.

The Great Outdoors. Hazel (Gwyneth Keyworth). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Hazel

Played by: Gwyneth Keyworth

Hazel is Bob's 18-year-old daughter. When stressed Sophie makes a desperate leap on Victor, it becomes very important her husband Joe doesn't find out about this (or Victor may never see 18), and so Hazel must help him cover it up by any means necessary.

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