Hancock

Aloysius St John Hancock was one of life's losers (who started off as a character in a 1950s radio show). He inevitably suffered at the hands of fate - his heartfelt phrase 'Stone me, what a life' was expressed on a constant basis to lament for failed plans and aspirations.

Harold Steptoe

The put-upon son who had a love-hate relationship with his dad Albert. Desperately trying to escape the clutches of his wily father with whom he lived and worked in the rag and bone trade, Harold was not a success in life - from chess, to women, he never quite got the hang of life.

Hyacinth Bucket

A snobby, suburban housewife who devoted her life to maintaining 'standards' and trying to impress 'influential' people. In the process, she frequently brought chaos into the lives of her friends, relatives and neighbours, and misery to her long suffering husband Richard.