Briers is Ralph Tanner, a man who's never encountered a lie that he can't live out to the full. Compulsively economical with the truth, he uses any means, no matter how embarrassing or calamitous to give the impression of being a lone wolf, worldly wise and someone who's been everywhere, seen it all and done it better than anyone else!

Reality, of course, is wildly different. For it seems Ralph is grossly inexperienced, wildly incompetent and totally ill-equipped for life. Yet he's convincing enough to impress the gullible, timid Brian (Michael Gambon). When he encounters the brash Ralph at the airport, ready to escape on the same flight to sunny Spanish paradise, Brian hopes they'll go everywhere, see everything and do it all.

The adventures that follow are a hilarious trip back down to earth.