Editing Dinnerladies (TV series) (section)

==Plot==
The beginning of the first series introduces the characters, a group of mostly female and middle-aged canteen workers at a factory in [[Manchester]]. The main character is the kind and dependable Brenda "Bren" Furlong, whose relationship with sarcastic and exhausted canteen manager Tony Martin ([[Andrew Dunn (actor)|Andrew Dunn]]) develops through the show.<ref name=bcg0>{{cite web|title=DINNERLADIES|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/index.shtml|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=29 August 2012|archive-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527143327/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/index.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The characters feature the prim and prudish Dolly Bellfield ([[Thelma Barlow]]) and her waspish friend Jean ([[Anne Reid]]), and the younger and snarky Twinkle ([[Maxine Peake]]), who is always late, and the scatter-brained but mild-mannered Anita ([[Shobna Gulati]]).<ref name=bfi>{{Screenonline TV title|578972|Dinnerladies}}</ref>

Stan Meadowcroft ([[Duncan Preston]]) is an opinionated and easily provoked, but well-meaning, [[Maintenance (technical)|maintenance]] man who is responsible for cleaning the factory and fixing equipment. The new cheery but disorganised [[Human resources management|human resources manager]] Philippa Moorcroft ([[Celia Imrie]]) is from [[Southern England|the South]] and does not initially fit in well with the rest of the staff; she moved to Manchester because of her relationship with senior staff member Mr Michael ([[Christopher Greet]]).<ref name=bfi />

Actress [[Julie Walters]] also appears in nine episodes<ref group=lower-alpha>"[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep1|Monday]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep3|Scandal]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep4|Moods]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep5|Party]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep8|Trouble]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep9|Holidays]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep12|Christmas]]", "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep15|Gravy]]" and "[[List of Dinnerladies episodes#ep16|Toast]]"</ref> as Bren's down-and-out, delusional and manipulative mother, who lives in a caravan behind a petrol station. She abandoned Bren at an orphanage, and often turns up to ask for favours.

In the first series, Bren and Tony's relationship begins to develop, and she supports him as he undergoes [[chemotherapy]]. Philippa tries to organise team-building activities, the factory receives a royal visit, Bren's mother causes a scandal in the factory, the team bring their mothers to work, HWD Components merges with a Japanese company and Tony is temporarily replaced by Nicola Bodeux due to his treatment. Bodeux resigns after causing the canteen staff to strike, leading Bren to take charge on an interim basis amidst a crisis for the company.<ref name=phill1>{{cite web|title=dinnerladies : Episode Guide (Series 1)|url=http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/dinner/guide.html|publisher=Phill.co.uk|access-date=29 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=bcg1>{{cite web|title=DINNERLADIES: SERIES 1 – First broadcast 1998|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/series1.shtml|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=28 August 2012|archive-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527143240/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/series1.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Throughout the second series, Bren and Tony's relationship develops further; the canteen takes on a work experience girl named Sigourney ([[Joanne Froggatt]]), Jean goes to stay with her sister after she is put in a foul mood by her unfaithful husband, a prisoner escapes from a local prison and Bren's [[fear of needles]] is mistaken for pregnancy. Jane ([[Sue Devaney]]) organises a holiday to [[Marbella]], on which Bren and Tony want to go together. After a mix-up, Bren manages to get a place, but she ends up giving the money to her mother instead. Their colleagues bet on when Bren and Tony will "get it on", and they finally get together after Tony puts on a surprise birthday party for Bren, who was born on Christmas Eve.

Later in the series, Philippa cannot attend the Millennium meal she organises, and Anita has a baby; after leaving it anonymously for Bren to care for, she takes it back and goes on [[parental leave]]; she is replaced temporarily by Christine ([[Kay Adshead]]), who is disliked by the rest of the dinner ladies.

As the closure of the canteen looms, the staff plan to move on with their lives. Bren goes on a game show, but loses her chance to win after she cannot attend due to her mother's death. It is revealed that her mother left her a large amount of money, which Bren and Tony use to move to Scotland.<ref name=phill2>{{cite web|title=dinnerladies: Episode Guide (Series 2)|url=http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/dinner/guide2.html|publisher=Phill.co.uk|access-date=29 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=bcg2>{{cite web|title=DINNERLADIES: SERIES 2 – First broadcast 1999 & 2000|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/series2.shtml|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=28 August 2012|archive-date=6 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806184945/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/dinnerladies/series2.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>