My Family

8:00pm – Friday, January 27 on ABC1

Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) is disappointed with Ben’s (Robert Lindsay) choice of venue (the local pub) for a ‘romantic’ night out, but when he is recognised as being the son of a talented darts player and invited to join the ‘Menaces’, she relishes the prospect of his absence for three nights a week. This, combined with an unfortunate comment from Michael (Gabriel Thomson) concerning her level of fitness, inspires Susan to hire a personal trainer. Ben doesn’t mind – he is too preoccupied with his darts.

Personal trainer Andre is certainly having an effect on Susan which in turn is having an effect on her bank balance as he can be very persuasive and his products are so reasonably priced.

Meanwhile, the Menaces all agree that Ben is the weak link and throw him out of the team. Ben is devastated, until Roger persuades him to join his team, ‘Roger’s Jollies’ – anything to restore his pride and get one up on the Menaces! The Menaces and the Jollies enter into a wager over who will win the darts tournament.

8:00pm – Friday, January 20 on ABC1

Susan’s (Zoe Wanamaker) mother has passed away and at the funeral a dapper chap offers his condolences.

Susan faints when he introduces himself as her supposedly dead father, Arthur. Back at the house, Arthur tries to explain to Susan why he deserted her, but confesses that he is disappointed his daughter has married someone as odious as Ben (Robert Lindsay) and offers Susan two million pounds to divorce him.

Meanwhile, Michael’s (Gabriel Thomson) interest in one of the undertakers, Sean, backfires when he inadvertently implies that he’s dying and Sean’s sympathy manifests itself in a lot of hugging and a date is secured.

However, when Michael finally confesses he isn’t dying the friendship dies instead. Susan tells Ben (Robert Lindsay) about Arthur’s offer – they try and dismiss the idea as ridiculous but decide Susan is owed that money and they will go along with the idea…

8:00pm – Friday, January 13 on ABC1

Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) wants to look her best for an impending school reunion. Ben (Robert Lindsay) is learning how to administer Cavitox and suggests Susan could try it. Susan dismisses the idea; she is fabulous as she is! Ben also tries to help Kenzo (Tayler Marshall) by suggesting he let a little girl in his class know he likes her by giving her a present – but who would know that Kenzo has such a big heart.

An old school friend, Mary, arrives to ask Susan to give the keynote speech at their forthcoming school reunion but lets it slip that Susan was not their first choice. Susan is further undermined when a younger replacement is hired at the Art Gallery where she works and, furious at what she sees as blatant ageism, quits.

In the end, Ben is driven to asking the vicar to talk to Susan and he duly tells her to focus on something that will bring a smile to her face… but did he really mean her to undergo a session of Cavitoxing from her newly-qualified husband.

Duly lifted from her depression, Susan’s speech is well-applauded at her school reunion – finally she is amongst friends… all of whom have had similar youth-prolonging treatment!

8:00pm – Friday, January 6 on ABC1

Ben (Robert Lindsay) is away for a week at a conference and Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) is being kept busy at work by boss, Katie (Hannah Waddington). When she is told to re-do her new exhibition layout, Susan finds herself working late with the dashing young new guy, Chris.

They share a glass of wine and he compliments her but soon gets a little too close for comfort and Susan makes a sharp exit…

Meanwhile, Kenzo (Taylor Marshall) is upset that his Art teacher, Mr Tilley (Clive Francis), is giving him bad grades. Michael (Gabriel Thomson) was also taught by Mr Tilley and concludes that their tempestuous history is the reason for Kenzo’s low marks and resolves to give Mr Tilley a piece of his mind.

Katie informs Susan that Chris has accused her of sexual harassment – until the situation is resolved she is advised to avoid him. But will he avoid her..?

8:00pm – Friday, December 30 on ABC1

Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) insists that she and Ben (Robert Lindsay) go away for the weekend to a couples’ retreat but Ben thinks the whole thing is a joke. Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe) and Michael (Gabriel Thomson) are delighted to have the house to themselves.

Michael’s new boyfriend, Matt, comes over to return Mikey’s watch – he invites Janey out clubbing with them and much to Michael’s annoyance, she accepts.

When Janey and Matt get on like a house on fire Michael becomes more than a little annoyed, and when Matt dumps him but wants to stay in touch with Janey it is even worse…

Meanwhile on the retreat, Ben misbehaves throughout every activity and the weekend culminates with the pair of them being thrown out after Ben makes Susan laugh during a meditation session. They don’t care, they know they don’t need a couples’ retreat to keep things fresh – their marriage is as solid as the mugs they made in pottery class…

7:30pm – Sunday, December 25 on ABC1

King of the festive fun-spoilers Ben Harper (Robert Lindsay) and the rest of his bonkers brood – are back in this My Family Christmas Special from 2010 – and he’s no keener to get into the holiday spirit than in any other year.

Whilst playing Santa at Susan’s (Zoe Wanamaker) work’s Christmas party Ben becomes emotionally involved when a little girl asks him to reconcile her mother and grandfather, who have fallen out. He actually succeeds, winning rare praise from Susan for his efforts.

The Harpers are less successful, though, when their lavish New Year party, with fireworks, a band and food from TV chef Ainsley Harriott, initially fails to poach guests from nasty neighbour Casey’s glitzy annual event. Can recent dental patient Rolf Harris save the night with his presence or will the rocket literally go up? At least Susan and Ben see in the New Year presenting a united front.

8:00pm – Friday, December 23 on ABC1

Chaos and confusion continue to rule the household as TV’s most dysfunctional family returns to the screen in an eleventh series of the Rose d’Or-winning sitcom.

An eventful night out is had by all as Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe) and Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) go to a hens night, and Roger (Kieron Self) goes on a blind date.

Ben, who should be at home looking after Kenzo, (Tayler Marshall) spends more time out than he bargained for.

8:00pm – Friday, December 9 on ABC1

Ben (Robert Lindsay) has uncharacteristically volunteered to help on a dental outreach program in Colombia. Roger (Kieron Self) offers to be a ‘substitute Ben’ in his absence.

Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe) wants Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) to join Facebook – she needs one more friend to get to 1000 but Susan is not interested. Janey goes ahead and signs her up anyway and while Susan is initially furious, she soon changes her tune when she gets a message from an old flame. Paul was the only man ever to dump her and now he wants to meet up. Janey and Michael are hugely excited at the prospect of getting a better father and encourage her to go.

Sharing a bottle of wine, Paul flatters Susan and says he can’t remember why he broke up with her. She offers to deliver a package locally for him but on doing so is arrested!

8:00pm – Friday, December 9 on ABC1

Ben (Robert Lindsay) has uncharacteristically volunteered to help on a dental outreach program in Colombia. Roger (Kieron Self) offers to be a ‘substitute Ben’ in his absence.

Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe) wants Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) to join Facebook – she needs one more friend to get to 1000 but Susan is not interested. Janey goes ahead and signs her up anyway and while Susan is initially furious, she soon changes her tune when she gets a message from an old flame. Paul was the only man ever to dump her and now he wants to meet up. Janey and Michael are hugely excited at the prospect of getting a better father and encourage her to go.

Sharing a bottle of wine, Paul flatters Susan and says he can’t remember why he broke up with her. She offers to deliver a package locally for him but on doing so is arrested!

8:00pm – Friday, November 25 on ABC1

In the final episode of My Family, the usual chaos and confusion continue with the UK’s favourite dysfunctional TV family.

Grumpy Ben (Robert Lindsay) and control-freak Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) continue to squabble and score points off each other, as usual behaving more like children than adults. Daughter Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe) has a career as a carer, and son Michael (Gabriel Thomson) comes out as gay.

In this final episode Janey has a big decision to make about her future. Ben and Susan each campaign for their favoured option, but only Janey’s heart can decide.