Gary Ogin - Shy Baby

Lionel Stillman has a new job, a girlfriend he thinks he loves, and a secret ambition - to be a stand-up comic.

But he also has a problem. People make him nervous.

Stuart McLoughlin stars as Lionel.

As Lionel stumbles from bad date with Emma to bad first day at a call centre, he struggles with an inner voice telling him he's boring and useless - 'or just plain weird'.

At first, Emma thinks he's attractively shy. Then she decides he's a drinker.

But Lionel does have friends. At a weekly support group his fellow sufferers Simon, Max and Rosie uncover his ambition to be a comic and encourage him to take it further by setting a challenge: to perform in a comedy club.

As the night approaches, the idea seems ludicrous. How can a man who can't bring himself to meet his girlfriend's parents stand up and perform in front of a raucous pub crowd? Rosie holds the key.

Gary Ogin's comedy explores the crippling effects of acute social anxiety on work, hopes and relationships.

Lionel - Stuart McLoughlin

Rosie - Alex Tregear

Emma - Polly Barsby

The drama was researched with the help of Social Anxiety support groups in London and Bristol.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.

A comic look at the far-reaching effects of social anxiety.