Programme Synopses
Programme 1
The series begins in August 2004 with GCSE results day.
Programme 1 features Laura Ellis, a rising young cabaret star; Lee Land, an aspiring rugby league player and Ben Parrot, who wants to make it as a drummer in a mod band. Laura and Lee have made it into college. Ben Parrot hasn't done well and decides to take a job at the Next warehouse.
College doesn't start well for Lee, who spends all day wandering the college campus. Laura enjoys the start of her music and drama course. That evening she sings in a Barnsley talent contest and gets through the first heats of the competition.
Programme 2
Ben Parrot and his mod band, The Tickets, get a gig. Despite the singer turning up late, they have a good night, play to 150 people and earn some money.
Laura Duxbury, would-be lawyer, starts at New College, Pontefract. She's making friends with Kayleigh Allison. They meet up at Kayleigh's house and have a girly chat about boys (Kayleigh has a long-term boyfriend) before going off to The Tickets gig.
Bradley Morton goes to the Royal Navy recruiting office where he watches a video, chats to the recruiting officer and decides to apply for the Navy.
Programme 3
Lee Land, bad boy and would-be rugby player, decides to drop out of college. However, his trip to the local career centre doesn't go well as Lee is easily distracted. He then misses rugby training and gets dropped from the team. At the end of the programme Lee is depressed and decides to drop out of filming.
Laura Ellis reaches the final of the Barnsley talent contest and gets to fourth place, despite not feeling well on the night.
Ben Swarbrick works out in the gym before modelling in a local fashion show.
Programme 4
Bradley passes his written test for the Navy. He fails his medical at first, as he is underweight, but manages to pass his physical fitness test. Finally, he puts on two kilos and passes his medical.
The Tickets get a big gig, playing to 400 people. Things seem to be going well and Ben Parrot considers quitting his warehouse job. But the members of the band keep rowing.
Laura Duxbury works at a fish and chip shop in her spare time. She goes to the college Parents' Evening with her mum to find out how she's doing. Her law tutor is impressed! On her 17th birthday Laura takes her first driving lesson.
Programme 5
Laura Ellis has a makeover at a Leeds hairdressers and buys a new stage outfit. Her voice coach stops her entering a talent contest with a sore throat. She goes on to win a 'Newcomer of the Year' award a few weeks later.
Bradley Morton starts his eight weeks basic training at HMS Raleigh in Plymouth. He signs a Royal Navy contract for 22 years, settles into barracks and has his first taste of square bashing.
Ben Swarbrick, male model, misses a big fashion photo shoot. He gets the hard word from his modelling agency but is happy when the magazine decides to give him a second chance.
Programme 6
The final programme rounds off the characters' stories.
Ben Swarbrick finally makes it to his magazine shoot but is still working at a car showroom.
Ben Parrot gives up on the band, changes his name and joins the army.
Laura Duxbury goes on holiday and nearly misses an exam. She visits a big law firm and becomes even more determined to pursue a career as a lawyer.
Kayleigh Allison and her boyfriend seem set to stay together but she's thinking of giving up college.
Bradley Morton is starting to enjoy the Navy. He goes on an assault course, completes his training and has his 'passing in' parade.
