STAND-OUT IDEA

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“We’re not embarrassed to go, ‘Does this feel right?’ You’re not hijacking the script but you’re going, ‘Would we do this as a couple?”’

ESTABLISHED CHARACTERS

IN MURDER On The Blackpool Express, there was a “Will they, won’t they?” situation with Gemma and Terry.

This time, the focus on the couple is what it’s like to date somebody you work with, with a sideline story of Terry wanting to propose (and it never quite going to plan...).

“What I enjoyed about the second time is that we felt like we’d established the characters so we kind of knew what we were doing,” notes Sian.

“So it was easier for us than for all the new cast because they were still getting to grips with it, whereas we were doing what we did before, but the relationship has moved on a stage. It felt even more comfortable.”

“They are very relatable in that they’re constantly on these trips surrounded by larger-than-life characters,” adds Johnny.

“The two of them are a good anchor for each other.”

PERSONAL CHALLENGES

WHEN speaking to him for Murder on the Blackpool Express, Johnny expressed the self-doubt he feels about being a comedian who has moved into doing dramas.

THERE is more TV available to us now than ever before. It’s rare though, says Sian, “that a programme like this comes along and it can span quite a large age group and demographic”.

Meanwhile, Johnny warns it’s getting harder and harder to pitch original ideas, especially in an age of reality TV.

“Certainly with one-offs, I think it’s a ‘No, we need a commitment to three series’.

“But if it works, it works and the first one (Murder On The Blackpool Express) proved that; it had this catchment area and audience that was massive, down to this amazing cast that they pulled together, and great writing.

“If you look at the cast that we’ve got, it’d be far cheaper to put two (unknown) people in the a**e-end of nowhere, and film them having an argument.

“It does restore your faith in commissioners going, ‘Good writing, good cast’. There is still an audience out there for that.”

With the stars revealing they are knocking ideas about for material they could work on together in the future, this could be a TV partnership we see more of yet...

I don’t think I’ve ever felt as secure in acting as I do in stand-up.