Played by comic genius Peter Kay, Max is your average down-to-earth, easy going Bolton Wanderer (though never let it be said that his wandering is confined to Bolton). Apparently an ex-army man, he likes to think of himself as a man of the world, able to adapt to his surroundings, to survive in the wild and use his finely tuned animal instincts. In actual fact, making a fire from rubbing sticks together is not something that comes as second nature to him and he is all too easily a victim of nettle rash.

Max is a loyal and principled friend, particularly to Paddy, whose friendship he believes resembles an indestructible force; like Magnet and Steel. He even goes to such lengths as letting psychotic friend and ex-colleague Billy tag along for the ride out of sheer obligation. His experience with women is somewhat lacking; after having his heart broken by little lady Tina, he appears to be cautious if not scared of women and fails to be seduced by a Belgrano sister in pursuit of his wallet.

Max is basically a good guy with a good heart, making mistakes along the way by taking leave of his senses at times, but always with the best of intentions and never shirking his responsibilities. He offers his pearls of wisdom to all who may need it, giving advice on a range of subjects from how to calculate the cost of a pig using a 'cuts of meat' equation to employee rights and HRT treatment for women going through the menopause. Even his first and only meeting with the son he never knew he had sees the young lad receive an inspirational speech. Shame he recognises it as the lyrics of Boyzone's Father and Son.

Peter Kay also makes an appearance as Brian Potter (former employee in Phoenix Nights), who is in the throes of organising a petition and website to "free the Phoenix Two", after the lads get sent to prison for hijacking a school bus.

Aside from Phoenix Nights, Peter can also be seen in That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy: The Power of Two. He is a stand-up comedian in his own right and has toured across England preaching his comic to the masses in his tour entitled Mum Wants a Bungalow. She's still waiting.

A sitcom wouldn't be a sitcom without any sexual innuendos and these are provided in abundance by ladies' man Paddy. A little younger (and leaner) than Max, Paddy is the reckless force behind the partnership.

Following a childhood/adolescence of being labeled 'spazzy Paddy', the ugly duckling appears to have blossomed into a self-styled sex God. With his apparent knowledge of women's desires, cheesy chat-up lines and the ability to shake his thang on the dance floor, Paddy is always ready to deliver some hot lovin' to the ladies (and not of the pepperoni and tomato variety either). Breaking hearts (and headboards) along the way, Paddy is a free spirit, unable to commit himself and with little understanding of love. Even Max's attempts to convert him falls on deaf ears as he catches up on his beauty sleep instead; well, he has to prevent baldness creeping up on him somehow!

The more irresponsible and immature of the two, it is easy to form the impression that Paddy is also the more worldly (despite never having heard of the menopause), giving Max practical advice which doesn't extend far beyond the opposite sex, and providing himself with a get-out clause in most intimate situations ("Dave! Dave! Is that you?!"). In actual fact, both men are completely clueless in terms of how to hustle - or flow. Which is why they're on the open road... or, as most would call it, on the run.

Patrick McGuinness has also starred in Phoenix Nights, That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy: The Power of Two and is a stand-up comedian in his tour, The Dark Side of the Force. It has been suggested that the character of Paddy is largely based around Patrick, although this has yet to be proven or disproved. Likely though.

The little lady with the big heart, Tina emerges as the one true love Max loved and lost. She left town after being mocked by Max's bouncer friends and discovering she was pregnant. Ridiculed for her size, Tina has moved on from the multi-coloured shell suits and tried to make a life for herself with husband Kevin a.k.a the Wolfster (no connection with full moons).

A dutiful wife and mother, she is keen to ensure her family stays together by keeping the identity of her son's father under wraps, something which proves difficult when Max turns up. Tina has a strong sense of obligation and, after suffering as a victim of a cruel society, doesn't believe in causing malice or hurt for its sake. Not a lover of the distorted Hall of Mirrors, Tina manages to disprove Max and Paddy of being possible paedophiles while keeping her son's innocence over his real father intact. No-one could accuse her of being small-minded, at least.

Dim-witted yet dangerous, Billy worked alongside Max as a bouncer at the Phoenix before Paddy came along. Not one for clichès about holding a grudge, Billy still loathes Paddy for breaking up the dynamic duo (that and the fact Paddy proves to be a worthy opponent in TV Themes) and plans to prise the happy couple apart.

Still working as a doorman, ex-prisoner Billy is awaiting the return of his girlfriend and (debatable) son, who went to Blockbuster's three weeks previously. If that's not being slow on the uptake, there's always making the mistake of asking Max if he's going through the menopause. Billy is the most psychotic of criminal minds, if not the most witless. He has a sensitive side, particularly where Max is concerned but 'not in a gay way'!

Fellow inmate Raymond, aptly nicknamed, runs the prison wing together with his 'girlfriend' Pepe (Declan Wilson) and another hard-faced heavy. Rough-voiced Raymond commands respect throughout the wing. After agreeing with Max and Paddy to share the 'loot' stashed in the school bus, the boys escape thus avoiding a beating or indeed the opportunity to share an intimate moment with Raymond.

The second episode of the series reveals the first of the guest appearances in the form of Noddy Holder, lead singer and guitarist of Slade (pictured left). Noddy plays shoddy car mechanic Mick Bustin, who attempts to rip the boys off by outrageously overcharging them for repair work on their beloved motor home. For once, Max and Paddy get the upper hand while Mick has to whistle (or sing?) for his money.

Episode three boasts the appearance of Reece Shearsmith (Shaun of the Dead, The League of Gentlemen) as troubled Bobster, an old school friend of Max (the Maxster) and the Wolfster. Twice married Bobster feels like half a man after having a vasectomy on his wife's request - and then being promptly dumped. He demonstrates this bitterness by graphically stripping a banana and singing (rather badly, but catch the extended version in the deleted scenes) The First Cut is the Deepest.

Not so much a guest appearance as a dedication, episode four contains a parody of Cliff Richard (Trevor Payne). It transpires that Cliff has been imprisoned for his suspicious pop record Wired for Sound. Cell-mate Paddy tires of Cliff and his shrine almost immediately and is undoubtedly unimpressed when tennis fan Cliff offers to lend him his balls.

Episode six sees radio presenter Stuart Maconie make a very brief appearance as a Crime Time presenter, a role he previously played in Phoenix Nights.

See all guest appearances