No scouser ever believes they have lost an argument. It's made Liverpool simultaneously one of the touchiest and proudest places in the world - with a century-long tradition of radicalism and riot and an identity all of its very own. Mock it at your peril...as the most public Scouser in Britain discovered...

Five years ago, this very prickliness led Alexei to need personal protection at a book reading, after he'd made the cardinal scouse sin of knocking his home town. And worst of all he'd laughed in the face of the award of European Capital of Culture, the very thing most Scousers hope will save the place...but not Alexei. 'You've got to be having a laugh..we don't have any culture.' Cue - Uproar. From the pages of the local paper, 'Alexei Sayle, remember him. He used to be funny and had a career..well he gave all that up to go and eat raw fish in London.' 'We forgive you Alexei..but we won't forget.' This unsettling episode propels Alexei back to force a journey of reconnection with that all that Scouse emotion. Show less