Mark and Jeremy find themselves in competition for the same woman: Toni from next door. This is not the entire problem with Mark and his love life, rather, he is also lusting after Sophie, a co-worker, but finds himself at a loss with how to put his feelings into action. Jeremy is also pre-occupied, but not with love, with his music.

Mark gets a lucky break when his book, 'Business Secrets of the Pharaohs', is accepted by a 'publisher'. Jeremy, in an attempt to kick-start his career, enrols on a life-coaching course.

Jeremy finally agrees to leave the flat and move in with Super Hans. Mark employs a decorator, Andy, to repaint the kitchen, and Jeremy helps out by giving him free 'life-coaching' advice. Meanwhile, Mark enrolls on a business studies evening course and meets Stephanie an attractive older woman.

Jeremy, desperate to avoid living with Superhans, sparks up an old relationship with Mark's siser Sara, and moves in with her and her five-year-old son, Joshy. Mark, meanwhile, in an attempt to deal with a damp patch on his bedroom wall, launches a campaign to be elected chairman of the freehold committee of Apollo House.

Jeremy wants to get closer to Nancy so he tries to impress her by joining in her volunteer work which involves working in a soup kitchen for the homeless. Mark manages to get Johnson to think he is an alcoholic.

Jeremy finally runs out of money and finds himself on a downward spiral of hunger, homelessness and criminality. Meanwhile Mark needs to find a girlfriend before his birthday party.

Dobby, the object of Mark's desires, is now dating a graphic designer named Simon. Both Gerrard and Mark are determined to win her affections. Ben offers Jeremy the ideal job as head of development for his music web site.

Dobby is offered a job in New York by ex-boyfriend Simon. Uncertain about the offer, Dobby suggests that she and Mark spend a weekend in the country. The perfect time, as far as Jeremy is concerned, to get a few things off his chest.

Mark's determination to get the woman of his dreams isn't hindered by the fact that she has a husband. Jeremy on the other hand is getting a tough dose of reality from a client.

Jeremy faces a dilemma: money vs. art. Should he put all his time and effort into his music and try to 'make it' or should he be like Mark and get a 9 to 5 job to pay the bills (including three months of rent owed to Mark). Sophie is still the object of Mark's desires and he still fumbles about trying desperately to let her know how he feels.

Mark becomes depressed about Sophie living with Jeff, but Jeremy is not sure that self-mutilation is the answer. Besides, Jeremy and Jeff are getting on horribly well.

Mark and Sophie are finally beginning to go steady when Sophie is moved away from London for work. Mark is devastated, so Sophie offers phone sex as a solution, which Mark nervously accepts. Meanwhile, Jeremy is forced to consider getting an old friend sectioned.

Mark discovers that Jeremy's girlfriend Elena has a guilty secret. But should he tell him when Jez is clearly so happy? In addition to this, Alan Johnson offers Mark the chance to go into business with him. Mark, while reassuring himself that this is his dream offer, begins to see Johnson in a new light. Big Suze inadvertently brings Mark and Jeremy's problems to a head

Jeremy tries to wow Toni with his new job in a music studio while Mark gets passed over for promotion in favour of Sophie, and goes slowly round the twist. They then attempt to solve each other's problems with the help of phone stalking and pepper spray.

Mark has a run-in with some muggers, who steal his precious blackberry - and put him off his stroke with Sophie as a result... Meanwhile, Jeremy faces a tricky dilemma over the love of his life and a potential threesome.

Mark's plans for an enjoyable and productive week off work go out the window when his sister comes to stay. Jeremy clearly has the hots for her, and when Mark warns him to back off, Jeremy just wants her more...

It's not so long since Mark's new bride Sophie stumbled from the car, looking in appalled fascination at her husband of ten minutes and sobbed, "He's horrible!" As we return for the fifth series of this engagingly filthy comedy, Mark (David Mitchell) is getting drunk and maudlin on wedding champagne as his flatmate Jeremy (Robert Webb) urges him to go out on a double-date: "Beggars can't be choosers, she's an actual woman." Mark - remember, this is a man who once based his romantic strategy on the Siege of Stalingrad - arms himself with a copy of the Friends of the British Museum magazine and goes forth again to search for love.

Newly promoted Mark decides to enjoy his additional power and wealth by splashing out on a boiler, a 'creamy elephant' sofa and by finding Jeremy a job in the office. Things are also looking promising for Mark in his pursuit of Dobby, the company IT girl. However, a routine fire drill puts his plans into total disarray.

Jeremy realises that he's in love with Elena and decides to be generally less selfish to win her affection. He also thinks it might be a good idea to tell her he loves her, but Mark isn't so sure...

Mark has asked Dobby to move in with him, and Jeremy is faced with the prospect of moving out to make way. But Jeremy has been dragging his heels and Mark is increasingly worried that Dobby will move in with his rival, Gerrard instead.

Mark and Jeremy are reunited in the flat, Super Hans prepares for his wedding day, putting Mark under pressure as his best man. But there's a perk - Dobby will be there.

Mark attends a work conference and in the process makes a new friend, Alan Johnson, which upsets the 'El Dude' partnership. This forces Jeremy to consider who could replace Mark as flatmate and best friend. Super-Hands is the potential replacement, but he doesn't match up as well. Mark grows a moustache, like his new hero, Johnson whilst Jeremy is haunted by flashbacks to 'the one bad thing' that happened when he was wrecked with Super-Hands.

In the last episode of the series, death and terminal illness prove to be the keys to romantic success for Mark and Jeremy. Jeremy gets in with the Christians and Mark finds the perfect venue for a first date with Sophie - a funeral. Everyone's having a great time until the paramedics arrive.

Johnson returns, immediately taking a shine to Big Suze, proposing a deal involving her to Jeremy. Mark is caught up in Johnson's "Project Zeus" with his reputation at the workplace hanging in the balance. Geoff makes his first appearance of the season, and Sophie spends some alone time with Jeremy in the hotel room.

In order to avoid spending time with Sophie, Mark gets a gym membership. Whilst there he discovers that Jeremy's ex-wife Nancy is working there. Mark tells Jeremy who then becomes desperate to get back together with her. He decides to take a job as a cleaner at the gym and sets about stopping her from dating Mark's personal trainer Matt.