The Curse of Comedy Episode Rating Graph

0s aspiring stage actor Harry H. Corbett jumps at the chance to play junk-dealer Harold Steptoe in a television comedy show 'Steptoe and Son'. However, the show's success proves to be a poisoned chalice for him, type-casting him and thwarting his stage ambitions. Wilfrid Brambell, the actor playing his father, is marginalized in a different way.

After his alcoholism and depression result in his admittance to hospital, Tony Hancock is invited by his friend, John Le Mesurier, to stay with him. Hancock soon begins an affair with Le Mesurier's wife, Joan. Hancock's drinking puts a strain on their relationship. Joan tells Hancock she will leave Le Mesurier and marry him, but only if he can stay sober. With the opportunity to revive his career with a new television series, Hancock leaves for Australia, confident he can win back Joan. It's a journey from which he will never return.

Hughie Green's womanising lead to the collapse of his marriage and alienated his children. His affair with Jess Yate's wife, Elaine, would lead to the revelation of one of the biggest secrets in British show business.