Season 5 - Episode Guide

Beth has cooked a curry for Ian and Gordon's anniversary, but there's no such thing as a quiet family meal, what with the neighbours inviting themselves over and completely hijacking the occasion.

Beth is ill in bed and in desperate need of some rest. But the neighbours have decided Eric isn't coping and are convinced they know how to nurse Beth back to health.

It's merry and bright over at Michelle and Alan's as they welcome the neighbours for a Christmas get together. But with Beth and Eric agreeing to a last-minute invitation to spend Christmas away leaving Christine feeling vulnerable, Gordon irritating Ian with all his fussing, and Cathy desperate to find the ‘real' party, Michelle struggles to keep the evening on track. There are brief glimmers of harmony when the neighbours play a silly kazoo game and decide to do something special for Christine, but Alan's attempt to de-stress Ian backfires when Gordon ruins things for everyone.

Over at Alan and Michelle's, Alan's bullying big brother Michael turns up to sort the rings for his wedding. Meanwhile, Christine catches Michelle on the street and persuades them to come over to Beth's so they can get a look at the groom. Christine goes on about how handsome and funny Michael is while managing to make everyone else feel inadequate. Especially Alan.

With the rings to keep safe, a list of chores to do and Colin showing off his sexy stripper moves, the gathering soon descends into chaos. He may be the best man, but it turns out nobody really has any confidence in Alan's abilities to do anything other than order two puddings at the meal – let alone make a speech.

Alan's off out and Michelle has invited Beth, Cathy and Christine over for a Girls' Night.

Cathy sets the tone by downing shots and the revelations soon flow about the annoying things their men do. But when Beth jokes about Christine's annoying habit – Christine takes the hump. It takes Michelle and a negotiation over a cheese toastie for Christine to forgive Beth.

With the tunes now on, the dancing begins and for a moment it seems as though nothing could come between these women. They even get a bit emotional. And when the girls decide to watch a film, Cathy jumps in with the suggestion they stick on a porno.

Michelle forces Alan to share his family box of donuts with the neighbours.

Over at Beth and Eric's, everyone is tucking into the sticky stuff when the new neighbours turn up at the door. Ash and Iqbal are welcomed with awkward stories about the previous owners and the local amenities, though it's when they reveal they work for the NHS that Ash and Iqbal really grab the neighbours' attention.

But Iqbal isn't the right kind of doctor for Christine and Ash reveals they don't eat takeaways, leaving everyone dumbfounded. Will it be happy ever after in Latimer Crescent for Ash and Iqbal?

Party-seeking Cathy and her hen-pecked husband Colin are back from an Italian holiday and excited to be hosting a soiree at their house - arranged for the purpose of showing off how popular they are.

They've invited Gail and Andy, the fabulous Amalfi Friends they met in Sorrento – but as the Duty Free wine flows and the guests of honour begin to bond a bit too much with the neighbours, Cathy and Colin's tensions soon bubble to the surface.

With Colin unashamedly competing with Andy to be the alpha male in the room - and Cathy desperately trying to cling on to the good times with Gail - their much anticipated party is left in tatters.