Forty-somethings will probably remember a 1959 situation comedy called The Vital Spark. It starred Duncan Macrae as the skipper of a notoriously unreliable vessel. Younger viewers may recall the 70s versions, with Roddy McMillan in the starring role.

Now Gregor Fisher (probably best known as Rab C Nesbitt) takes over the helm in a new six-part comedy drama series about the crew of that famous Scottish puffer. This time the aim is to evoke the character and gentle humour of Neil Munro's original Para Handy Tales set in the 1930s, rather than playing it strictly for laughs.
Joining Fisher are several of his Rab C Nesbitt colleagues including Sean Scanlan, Andrew Fairlie and producer Colin Gilbert as well as Scotch and Wry comedian Rikki Fulton.

In this first episode - Para Handy, Master Mariner - the Vital Spark's cargo of coal, a double bed and a prize Highland bull cause trouble for the crew.

Gregor Fisher's Kind of Day: page