A Thing Called Love

The gang have all gathered at the local ice rink to witness Robbie (Chris Gascoyne) popping the big question to Paula (Liz White). Shocked and thrilled Paula immediately says yes but her excitement is not shared by all. Mel (Kaye Wragg), Gary's (Paul Nicholls) long-term girlfriend is left wondering why despite being together for several years, Gary still hasn't proposed to her. The lads head off for a night on the town and after a few beers Robbie seems to put all thoughts of his recent engagement behind him. Kelvin (Ben Miles), Gary's best-friend and married father of two, is also keen, as usual, to check out the local talent. Shortly afterwards the lads decide to head home with a group of local girls. Gary is stunned when he realises their intentions and is left alone with Christine (Jessica Radcliffe). Gary has never been unfaithful to long-term girlfriend Mel. Despite having no intention to start now, Christine's honesty and frankness catches him off guard and he becomes caught up

Paula's keen to help Gary get back on his feet after his break-up with Mel, so sets him up with old school friend Sonya. However, Gary cannot be swayed by the body beautiful, and resists the opportunity to jump into bed with Sonya. He's determined to stay celibate until he finds the girl of his dreams. But a night on the town, with Kelvin, shows him that finding a woman with similar aspirations could prove difficult. Meanwhile, Gary's younger brother, Michael, is on a mission to have as much sex as possible. His forthcoming eighteenth birthday seems like the ideal time to start. However, it's not entirely straight forward for Michael, on account of the fact he has cerebral palsy. Gary's appalled when Michael reveals that Natasha, a girl he's met through the internet, has agreed to come along to his party and fulfil his wish. Michael's relying on Gary to help put his plan into action, and make it a birthday to remember. When their parents uncover part of the plan, Gary has a change of h

It's the christening of Floyd and Chantelle's baby, and Gary, caught up in the moment, decides he'd like to be a parent. However, Paula's suggestion of them having a child together with a little help from a turkey baster isn't quite how he envisaged fathering his firstborn. Floyd's finding parenthood increasingly difficult to cope with. Chantelle seems so caught up in the throws of motherhood that he feels like he no longer exists. To make matters worse, while Chantelle's being showered with praise, Floyd hasn't had any recognition for his role or the fact he's just been promoted at work. He's desperate to take a more active role in his son's life and revive his relationship with Chantelle. He insists on attending a mother and baby class, much to Chantelle and the other mums' annoyance. Floyd's sense of exclusion and isolation increases and he finally explodes, laying into a roudy young lad in the bar where he works. He loses his job. Feeling ashamed and in desperate need of a friend,

Paula has never felt anything but sisterly love for Gary; that is until she offers to give him a massage! As he stretches out on the floor, half naked, she realises that her feelings have changed. The realisation takes Paula by surprise and she tries to fathom out how to approach the subject with Gary. Meanwhile, the lads have noticed that Harold, the sports club manager, has had a distinct spring in his step of late. They decide it must be down to his new admirer, Mrs Hopewell, who has been frequenting the sports club of late with her friends from the pensioner's club. It's apparent that Harold is also attracted to Mrs Hopewell. However, when she finally plucks up the courage to tell him how she feels and offers herself up to him, Harold freezes. He's petrified! Gary, who's been doing some decorating at the sports centre, overhears the conversation. He's determined to get them together and enlists the help of Paula. However, their plan backfires when Harold and Mrs Hopewell realise th

Whilst Paula is glowing in the early stages of her new found relationship with Tony, Gary's feeling very glum as he fears he's missed his chance with her. In a bid to cheer him up, Kelvin decides a night out on the town is in order and they head off to a local strip bar. However, having scantily clad girls gyrating in front of him is the last thing Gary needs, and he bails out leaving Kelvin to prop up the bar. Kelvin soon gets chatting to Rich, another guy who's been enjoying the show. After a few more drinks Rich persuades Kelvin to go back to his to watch some porn and have a night cap. One thing leads to another, and Kelvin wakes the next morning, shocked and numb, in the knowledge that they had sex. Kelvin has always loved to experiment when it comes to sex but always with women and this new experience has left him in a state of disarray. Meanwhile, Liz has just discovered she's expecting their third child. She is keen to share the news with Kelvin. But she finds evidence that Kel

Kelvin and Gary's worlds are falling apart around them. Due to his recent exploits, Liz has thrown Kelvin out of their home. She refuses to let him see her or their two daughters. Kelvin's devastated and Gary tries to comfort him. Paula, meanwhile, discovers that Liz found Kelvin with another man. She's furious that Gary didn't tell her this and throws them both out of her flat. The pair are left homeless and alone. As Gary moves back in with his mum and dad, Kelvin concocts a drunken plan to win back Liz. Gary and his brother, Michael, decide they need to keep an eye on Kelvin in his fragile state. Kelvin waits for his two daughters outside their Brownies' pack meeting and hands them each a puppy. But Liz sees him and is furious. In the fracas that follows the puppies escape and run across the road. Gary and Michael go after them and tragedy strikes... Michael is knocked down by a car and killed. Gary's heartbroken and in complete shock, while a desperate Kelvin is consumed with grief