Episodes

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Pilot2017010720170310/11 (BBC7)
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Lost Voice Guy (real name Lee Ridley) won the BBC Radio Stand-Up Comedy Award in 2014. He is a funny guy. He also has cerebral palsy and can only speak via a computer. Ability uses Lee's experiences of coping with this disability and weaves them into a sitcom.

It's based around Matt, who's leaving home for the first time to move in with Jess, his best friend from school. Matt's parents are worried, particularly his dad - they have always done everything for him. But Matt is determined even though his new carer, Bob, is not all he should be. Bob is new to the role, and although willing, he somehow manages to spend more time dealing weed and flogging knocked off TVs than cooking Matt's tea. But he treats Matt like an equal, and not all his previous carers have done that, and so the two form a bond.

A bond that could lead Matt into an awful lot of trouble. Especially as Matt has never been above exploiting his circumstances if the situation arises - he's always known he could get away with murder (although he's never actually tried that of course). But who would suspect the disabled guy? Could Matt and Bob become the new Del boy and Rodney? And if so, which is which?

Pilot episode for the following series.

Written by: Lee Ridley and Katherine Jakeways.

Matt..............Lee Ridley

Jess...............Sammy T Dobson

Bob................ Allan Mustafa

Inner Voice.......Andrew Hayden-Smith

Peter................James Lailey

Maureen...........Alison Belbin

Drug User.........Keziah Joseph

Producer: Jane Berthoud

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.

What happens when someone with cerebral palsy moves into his best friend's flat?

0101The Date2018050220200409/10 (BBC7)
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Matt can only speak via an app. Will his carer pretend to be him for an online date?

Matt - Lee Ridley

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Writer - Lee Ridley

Writer - Katherine Jakeways

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.

Matt persuades his carer Bob to pretend to be him and ring a prospective internet date.

0102The Assessment2018050920200416/17 (BBC7)
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Matt's rubbish carer, Bob is due for his first assessment. But he really shouldn't have let Matt talk him into going down the pub the night before.

Matt - Lee Ridley

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Writer - Lee Ridley

Writer - Katherine Jakeways

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.

Matt's rubbish carer Bob is due for his first assessment.

0103Taking Advantage2018051620200423/24 (BBC7)
/08 (BBC7)
Matt and Bob decide to see how far they can take advantage of Matt's disability - and attempt shoplifting.

Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He's funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

Matt - Lee Ridley

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Writer - Lee Ridley

Writer - Katherine Jakeways

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.

Matt and Bob decide to see how far they can go - and attempt shoplifting.

0104 LASTThe Voice2018052320200430 (BBC7)
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/15 (BBC7)
A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.

Bob persuades Matt to exploit his voice app by becoming the voice of a sex bot.

0201Disability Exam2019040320201014/15 (BBC7)
/18/23/24 (BBC7)
/30 (BBC7)
Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad.

Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

Series two sees Matt still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess. He is still in love with her but, much as she likes him, she is still not in love with him. She does however, fancy Matt's rubbish carer, Bob. Well just a tiny bit anyway. Not that she would ever admit it. After all, Bob is even more lazy and useless at most things than she is.

But Bob is willing. And although domestic duties are not really his forte, he likes Matt and treats him like a real person. And over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway.

The series is set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in TV's Biker's Grove.

Matt - Lee Ridley – aka Lost Voice Guy

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Jess - Sammy Dobson

Matt's Inner Voice - Andrew Hayden-Smith

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Britain's Got Talent 2018 winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2019.

Matt has cerebral palsy and is disabled. But does the benefits inspector agree?

Matt has cerebral palsy and is disabled and needs benefits. But does the benefits inspector agree? Stars Lee Ridley. From 2019.

This second series sees Matt still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess. He is still in love with her but, much as she likes him, she is still not in love with him. She does however, fancy Matt's rubbish carer, Bob. Well just a tiny bit anyway. Not that she would ever admit it. After all, Bob is even more lazy and useless at most things than she is.

The series is set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

Matt - Lee Ridley - aka Lost Voice Guy

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Britain's Got Talent 2018 winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

0202Doing A Runner2019041020201021/22 (BBC7)
/25 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
Matt and his carer Bob do a runner from a restaurant. They knock a thief down in their haste, and are heralded as heroes.

This can't turn out well -

Stars Lee Ridley and Allan Mustafa.

Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad.

Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

This second series sees Matt still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess. He is still in love with her but, much as she likes him, she is still not in love with him. She does however, fancy Matt's rubbish carer, Bob. Well just a tiny bit anyway. Not that she would ever admit it. After all, Bob is even more lazy and useless at most things than she is.

But Bob is willing. And although domestic duties are not really his forte, he likes Matt and treats him like a real person. And over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway.

The series is set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

Matt - Lee Ridley – aka Lost Voice Guy

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Jess - Sammy Dobson

Matt's Inner Voice - Andrew Hayden-Smith

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Britain's Got Talent 2018 winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2019.

Matt, Bob and Jess do a runner from a restaurant - straight into trouble.

Matt and Bob do a runner from a meal, knock down a thief and become heroes. This can't go well. Stars Lee Ridley. From 2019.

0203A Job For Matt2019041720201028/29 (BBC7)
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/13 (BBC7)
Matt decides to turn over a new leaf and earn some money legally.

He advertises the flat on AirBnB but then has to resort to looking for a real job.

Stars Lee Ridley and Allan Mustafa.

Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad.

Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

This second series sees Matt still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess. He is still in love with her but, much as she likes him, she is still not in love with him. She does however, fancy Matt's rubbish carer, Bob. Well just a tiny bit anyway. Not that she would ever admit it. After all, Bob is even more lazy and useless at most things than she is.

But Bob is willing. And although domestic duties are not really his forte, he likes Matt and treats him like a real person. And over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway.

The series is set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

Matt - Lee Ridley – aka Lost Voice Guy

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Jess - Sammy Dobson

Matt's Inner Voice - Andrew Hayden-Smith

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Britain's Got Talent 2018 winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2019.

Matt - Lost Voice Guy - decides to turn over a new leaf and earn some money legally.

Matt - Lost Voice Guy - decides to turn over a new leaf and earn some money legally. Stars Lee Ridley. From April 2019.

Matt - Lee Ridley - aka Lost Voice Guy

0204 LASTWeekend Away2019042420201104/05 (BBC7)
/08 (BBC7)
/20 (BBC7)
Matt and his best mate, Jess, join his parents for a weekend away.

Matt contrives that he and Jess have to share a bed. Surely this will do the trick?

Stars Lee Ridley and Allan Mustafa.

Matt is 25. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad.

Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

This second series sees Matt still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess. He is still in love with her but, much as she likes him, she is still not in love with him. She does however, fancy Matt's rubbish carer, Bob. Well just a tiny bit anyway. Not that she would ever admit it. After all, Bob is even more lazy and useless at most things than she is.

But Bob is willing. And although domestic duties are not really his forte, he likes Matt and treats him like a real person. And over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway.

The series is set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

Matt - Lee Ridley - aka Lost Voice Guy

Bob - Allan Mustafa

Jess - Sammy Dobson

Matt's Inner Voice - Andrew Hayden-Smith

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Britain's Got Talent 2018 winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. Lost Voice Guy is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid.

Katherine Jakeways is the co-creator and co-writer of Ability.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2019.

Matt's parents invite Jess and Matt to join them for a weekend away.

Matt - Lee Ridley – aka Lost Voice Guy

Matt and his best mate Jess join his parents for a weekend away.

Matt and Jess join his parents on a weekend away. Matt contrives they have to share a bed - will that do the trick? From 2019.

0301Robot Hitler20210210Matt is 27. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him.

He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

In this third series of the award-nominated comedy, Matt is still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He still has his rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis) and, over the last year or so, the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway. And now, finally, Matt meets a woman he likes and who also seems to like him (Anna, played by Lisa Hammond).

And they seem to have so much in common - she is even a wheelchair user so they can share their annoyance and grief at people's crazy attitudes to disabilities. What could possibly go wrong?

As well as his mechanical voice, Matt also has a strong inner-voice, played by Andrew Hayden-Smith.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of the 2018 Britain's Got Talent winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. He is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. Prior to BGT, Lee won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014. He has written and performed four full Edinburgh shows and completed major sell out tours of the UK.

The series is co-written by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt. It's set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt meets a girl. What could possibly go wrong?

0302Vdp Experience20210217Matt is 27. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him.

He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

In this third series of the award-nominated comedy, Matt is still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). And he still has his rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis.) And now, finally, Matt has met a woman (Anna, played by Lisa Hammond). But no sooner had they met than Matt managed to upset her - and by doing something he should definitely have know better about too - making her feel uncomfortable about using a wheelchair.

So now, Matt finds himself at a festival, supposedly to celebrate Jess's birthday, but all he really wants to do is find Anna, who he believes is also there, so he can make amends.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of the 2018 Britain's Got Talent winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. He is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. Prior to BGT, Lee won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014. He has written and performed four full Edinburgh shows and completed major sell out tours of the UK.

The series is co-written by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt. It's set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt, Bob and Jess go to a festival.

0303Ranting And Rating20210224Matt is 27. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him.

He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

In this third series of the award-nominated comedy, Matt is still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He still has his rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis) and over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway. And now, finally, Matt has met a woman he likes and who also seems to like him (Anna, played by Lisa Hammond).

They seem to have so much in common. But somehow they don't seem to manage to get through an evening without it ending in a row. And when Matt tries to storm out of a restaurant, and finds the entrance blocked with highchairs, he resorts to ranting about it on social media, and out of nowhere, Crip Advisor is born. But will this help him get Anna back?

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of the 2018 Britain's Got Talent winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. He is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. Prior to BGT, Lee won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014. He has written and performed four full Edinburgh shows and completed major sell out tours of the UK.

The series is co-written by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt. It's set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt accidentally sets up a new social media travel site for people with disabilities.

0304 LASTWorking 9 To 520210303Matt is 27. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him.

He is funny and clever and 'up for stuff' - partly because he is keen to show that there's nothing he can't do, but also because, if he's honest, he's aware that he's less likely than other people to get the blame.

In this third series of the award-nominated comedy, Matt is still sharing a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson.) He still has his rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis) and over the last year or so the three of them have been through a lot together - well a lot of drinking and hangovers anyway. Now, finally, Matt has met a woman he likes and who also seems to like him (Anna, played by Lisa Hammond).

She is a solicitor after all and he wants her to respect him - so the next step is to get a job. But Matt's new boss isn't so sure how capable Matt is going to be of dealing with customer complaints. Matt proves himself though, and Anna comes round to cook him a celebratory meal. Perfect!

Then Jess texts from her holiday in California and, just as things seems to be going so well with Anna, Matt starts to have doubts.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of the 2018 Britain's Got Talent winner, Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. Like his sitcom creation, Lee has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app. He is - probably - the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. Prior to BGT, Lee won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014. He has written and performed four full Edinburgh shows and completed major sell out tours of the UK.

The series is co-written by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt. It's set in Newcastle and many of the cast last played together as children in Biker's Grove.

A Funny Bones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt gets a job to impress Anna.

0401Girlfriend With Benefits20230331Matt (played by Lee Ridley aka Lost Voice Guy) is 28. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. Matt is funny and clever and 'up for stuff'.

Matt shares a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He has a rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis). And finally, last year, in series 3 Matt met Anna (played by Lisa Hammond). They have loads in common and she is even a wheelchair user so they can share their annoyance and grief and same sense of humour at people's crazy attitudes to disabilities.

Now in series 4 of this award nominated comedy, Matt has been with Anna for six months. They are spending a lot of time at her flat and she is doing all the cooking, even doing his washing and Matt is worried that the line between carer and girlfriend is becoming blurred. But when he starts to try to put things right, without telling Anna why, or what is going on, things come to a head.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, who, like Matt, has cerebral palsy and uses his iPad to speak. Producer Jane Berthoud started developing this sitcom with Lee after he won the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2014. Lee later went on the win Britain's Got Talent in 2018.

The series is set in Newcastle.

Written by Lee Ridley, Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

A Funnybones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt is worried that Anna is becoming more carer than girlfriend.

0402Mi Casa Su Casa20230407Matt (played by Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy) is 28. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. Matt is funny and clever and 'up for stuff'.

Matt shares a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He has a rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis). And finally, last year, in series 3 Matt met Anna (Lisa Hammond). They have loads in common and she is even a wheelchair user so they can share their annoyance and grief and same sense of humour at people's crazy attitudes to disabilities.

Now in series 4 of this award nominated comedy, Matt has been with Anna for six months. This is to be their first romantic weekend away and Anna is very excited, but Matt is worried that Anna is all too easily slipping into the role of being his carer, so he asks Bob along to un-blur the lines. And then Jess joins in too. This is not what Anna had in mind.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, who, like Matt, has Cerebral Palsy and uses his iPad to speak. Producer Jane Berthoud started developing this sitcom with Lee after he won the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2014. Lee later went on the win Britain's Got Talent in 2018.

The series is set in Newcastle.

Written by Lee Ridley, Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

A Funnybones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt and Anna jet off for a romantic weekend - with Bob and Jess somehow in tow.

0403Blood, Sweat And Dribble20230414Matt (played by Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy) is 28. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. Matt is funny and clever and 'up for stuff'.

Matt shares a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He has a rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis). And finally, last year, in series 3 Matt met Anna (Lisa Hammond). They have loads in common and she is even a wheelchair user so they can share their annoyance and grief and same sense of humour at people's crazy attitudes to disabilities.

Now in series 4 of this award nominated comedy, Matt has been with Anna for six months. They are just back from what should have been a romantic weekend away, but Matt is now worried that when Anna fell over in the hotel he wasn't able to pull her up again. So when Jess's new hunky boyfriend (Harry Hepple) offers to give Matt a training session in the gym, he reluctantly agrees.

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, who, like Matt, has Cerebral Palsy and uses his iPad to speak. Producer Jane Berthoud started developing this sitcom with Lee after he won the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2014. Lee later went on the win Britain's Got Talent in 2018.

The series is set in Newcastle.

Written by Lee Ridley, Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

A Funnybones production for BBC Radio 4

After a double date with Jess's new hunk, Matt joins the gym in an effort to impress Anna.

0404 LASTTill Death Do Us Part20230421Matt (played by Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy) is 28. He has cerebral palsy and can only speak via an app on his iPad. Everyone who cares about Matt knows that this isn't the defining thing about him. Matt is funny and clever and 'up for stuff'.

Matt shares a flat with his best mate, Jess (Sammy Dobson). He has a rubbish carer, Bob (Jason Lewis). And finally, last year, in series 3 Matt met Anna (Lisa Hammond). They have loads in common and she is even a wheelchair user so they can share their annoyance and grief and same sense of humour at people's crazy attitudes to disabilities.

Now in series 4 of this award nominated comedy, Matt has been with Anna for six months. But Matt has been worried that the lines were getting blurred between girl-friend and carer and had set out to um-blur them. But when Anna had discovered him doing a pros and cons list, with disability on the cons list, she was not pleased. Now Matt is worried he has lost her - can he get her back?

~Ability is the semi-autobiographical co-creation of Lee Ridley, who, like Matt, has Cerebral Palsy and uses his iPad to speak. Producer Jane Berthoud started developing this sitcom with Lee after he won the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2014. Lee later went on the win Britain's Got Talent in 2018.

The series is set in Newcastle.

Written by Lee Ridley, Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt

A Funnybones production for BBC Radio 4

Matt, Bob and Jess re-assess their romantic choices, while at some-one else's wedding.