Veterans of the African campaign and Army mates Ian Deasey (Griff Rhys Jones) and Dick Dobson (Martin Clunes) are demobilised at the close of World War II. Ian returns to his wife Janet (Amanda Redman) and his young son Alan and his boring pre-war job at the local council. Dick poses as a flight squadron leader so he can live in style at the Allied Officer's Club. He convinces Ian to perform a two man comedy routine with him in Soho.
Ian is sacked after too many late nights performing as one half of his new comedy partnership. Ian and Dick befriend beautiful dancer Hedda (Samantha Womack) who is looking for her husband. Meanwhile, Dick assists shady businessman Rudy Lormier with his dealings and becomes the manager of The Blue Parrot nightclub.
Disgusted with his behavior, Janet kicks her husband out of the house and decides to take a job at the surgery working for Dr. Pollock. Hedda and Ian try to form an act without Dick, but it ends in disaster. An opportunity for Ian and Dick to earn cash by helping Lorimer with a summer camp goes awry when they meet and try to help some fellow veterans.