Fags, Mags and Bags: Series 5-9

Mar 30, 2026 9:01 AM

Author:Sanjeev Kohli,Donald McLeary,Sanjeev Kohli,Donald McLeary,Mina Anwar,Full Cast

Five more series of the award-winning BBC radio sitcom set in a Scots-Asian corner shop near Glasgow

'As mad as ever - and very funny' Daily Mail

Ramesh Mahju and his trusty sidekick Dave Legg are back with more banter, bargains, shop-based shenanigans and over-the-counter philosophy.

In these 24 episodes, Ramesh gets in trouble with the local headmistress over his new line of sweets, has a wobble about his Meat Loaf date with new girlfriend Malcolm, ponders retiring (but who would take over his convenience store empire?) and makes a mint when the new House of Wax opens in Lenzie, and the town is besieged by tourists.

However, his surly sons Sanjay and Alok continue to reject Ramesh's worldly wisdom, preferring to make music with their new friend Grebo (aka Carnaptious Scrooch). And when the Bish spots Sanjay busking in East Kilbride, he's forced to confess that he's not been entirely truthful about his college education.

Dave, meanwhile, explores every avenue to find a partner, from internet dating to wondering whether to take his 'bromance' with best pal Lesley to the next level. When he meets Margot on a Moving Alan fan site, he's on cloud nine - but not everyone is convinced...

Plus, the Wall of Crisps is rocked by scandal, as the bag placement of a new range of Scottish political snacks is hotly debated; and love is in the air as the corner shop regulars prepare for a wedding. But will Sanjay perform at the reception with his new horrible band?

Written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary, this warm, feelgood comedy also features Mina Anwar as Malcolm, and a host of guest stars including Julie T Wallace, Sean Biggerstaff, Julia Deakin, Lewis MacLeod, Simon Greenall and Gabriel Quigley.

Production credits

Written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary

Produced by Gus Beattie for Gusman Productions

A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4

Cast

Ramesh - Sanjeev Kohli

Dave - Donald McLeary

Sanjay - Omar Raza

Alok - Susheel Kumar

Malcolm - Mina Anwar

Frank Butcher - Barry Howard

Archibald Sibbald/Alan/Mr Hepworth/Lorna McKillop - Tom Urie

Mutton Jeff - Sean Scanlan

Bra Jeff - Steven McNicoll

Hilly Bewerdine/Paella Fieldings - Kate Brailsford

Jordan - Lucas Beatty/James McKean

Mrs Begg - Marjory Hogarth

Father Neil Green - Andrew O'Neill

Bishop Briggs - Michael Redmond

Mrs Birkett/Phil - Stewart Cairns

Keith Futures - Gavin Mitchell/Greg McHugh

Mrs Temple - Julie T Wallace

Lovely Sue - Julie Wilson Nimmo

Grebo - Sean Biggerstaff/Manny Sumal

Janice Littbarski - Julia Deakin

Terry Wogan/Duncan Norvelle - Lewis MacLeod

Keenan's Mum/Mrs Armstrong/Thin Elizabeth//Dolly Eggs/Cambus - Maureen Carr

Candida - Barbara Rafferty

Lesley - Simon Greenall

Fraser Linlithgow - Sean Biggerstaff

Kallum - Taryam Boyd

Songs of Praise presenter - Effie Summers

Helena - Lorraine McIntosh

Provost - Moray Hunter

Angusina Comer/Nathan Laser - Gavin Mitchell

Margot - Gabriel Quigley

Other parts played by the cast

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 September-31 October 2012 (Series 5), 18 April-23 May 2016 (Series 6), 28 August-18 September 2017 (Series 7), 15 August-5 September 2018 (Series 8), 19 June-10 July 2020 (Series 9)

(P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

'As mad as ever - and very funny'

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In vigorous, direct prose Garthwaite grippingly resurrects a remarkable woman

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—— Sunday Telegraph

I look forward to hearing more from Annie Garthwaite and Cecily

—— Times

Cecily is a vivid and compelling portrait of a formidable figure from the 15th century and a heroine for our times

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In Garthwaite's hands, Neville proves as Machiavellian, manipulative and era-defining as any man

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I loved it . . . Annie Garthwaite writes about the past with a kind of restrained, earthy vim, and with the sort of intimacy and immediacy - and empathy - that can only come from graft and craft

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Shire's electrifying poems have the resonance of instant classics... Shire raises up in dignity the lives of immigrants, mothers and daughters, Black women and teenage girls... This is poetry that has the power to create empathy, a quality which often seems lacking in these turbulent times

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—— New Statesman, *Books of the Year*

A celebration of Black womanhood, joy, diaspora and beyond.

—— Stylist, *Christmas Gift Guide 2022*

With many of its poems famous in wider culture, it delivers an emotional intensity no less captivating for being familiar

—— Guardian, *Books of the Year*

This collection is a gut-punching series of poems that has haunted me ever since I first read it. I am so excited to see what Warsan Shire does next

—— Student Newspaper

[A] stunning debut collection... her words speak to women's experiences worldwide

—— Bernadine Evaristo, author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER , Guardian

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