The earliest episodes focus on Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), a former professional boxer who has served time in jail and is determined not to return there.
He finds himself in the orbit of Arthur Daley (George Cole), a middle-aged car salesman and self-described entrepreneur working on the edge of (and often beyond) the law in pursuit of a quick profit.
Over the course of the first three series, the focus of the show shifts so that the ever-scheming Arthur moves from being a supporting character to co-lead with Terry.
George Cole died on 5 August 2015, and Glynn Edwards (who played barman Dave Harris) on 23 May 2018.
Following the death of Dennis Waterman on 8 May 2022 and Waterman also appeared in both The Sweeney and New Tricks, Gary Webster and Patrick Malahide are the only surviving members of the regular cast As the trial proceeds, Ray seeks out the elusive Good Time Motors and eventually finds the premises under an out-of-date sign.