Christmas is coming but Barbara is not happy. Not only has she lost her wedding ring but Jim has won on a scratch card she found down the back of the sofa whilst looking for the ring and has kept quiet about his hundred pounds winnings. Nor is he especially sympathetic about Dave's impotency problem, though the entire Royle family unite to help recently widowed Joe from next door enjoy a restaurant-style evening in their house with the equally scatty Philomena, whom he has met through a want ad. On Christmas Day Barbara lashes out at Jim for his laziness and juvenile antics - though his description of a busty barmaid cures Dave's problem. However she is in for a pleasant surprise when she discovers just how he spent his scratch card winnings.
Caroline Aherne
as Denise Best
Craig Cash
as Dave Best
Ricky Tomlinson
as Jim Royle
Sue Johnston
as Barbara Royle
Peter Martin
as Joe Carroll
Lorraine Bruce
as Carol
Mary Healey
as Philomena
Denice Hope
as Brenda
Sheila Vaughan
as Doreen
Iris Sharples
as Elsie
Menyee Lai
as Ling Su
Steve Money
as Petula
