This new series from the pen of Debbie Horsfield aired on BBC1 last night and went from zero to seventy in about a minute, or at least it felt that way…

One minute we were being introduced to Esther – played by Sarah Lancashire – and her devoted husband Michael – played by Neil Pearson – who were blissfully celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and almost the next, he’s dumped her for newcomer Layla – Sarah Alexander.

It happened dizzyingly and unbelievably fast, even accepting that men of a certain age are prone to acts of utter stupidity and calling it a mid-life crisis when they commit one. All of a sudden, everything we’d seen about Esther and Michael being a loving – but rather dull – and contented couple was exploded with a few bats of Layla’s not inconsiderable eyelashes.

As a storyline, it was about as convincing as Sarah Alexander’s miming… Read more & comment »

Sarah Lancashire, Neil Pearson, Sarah Alexander and Richard Fleeshman star in Debbie Horsfield’s new, uplifting, six-part musical drama series. The series begins as Michael and Esther Caddick celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary among friends from their beloved choir. But nothing can prepare them for the changes to their lives that are on the horizon.

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In this all-new all-singing series for BBC One, in a town in the north of England the sparky but self-effacing Esther (Sarah Lancashire) sings her heart out in the local choir – a disparate collective whose enthusiasm far outweighs its musical ability, and which is conducted by her husband, the charismatic and inspiring Michael (Neil Pearson).

Full-time mother to teens Fred, Georgia and the troubled but musically gifted Kyle (Richard Fleeshman), Esther nimbly juggles the demands of clashing choral egos and chaotic family life.

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