After his alcoholism and depression result in his admittance to hospital, Tony Hancock is invited by his friend, John Le Mesurier, to stay with him. Hancock soon begins an affair with Le Mesurier's wife, Joan. Hancock's drinking puts a strain on their relationship. Joan tells Hancock she will leave Le Mesurier and marry him, but only if he can stay sober. With the opportunity to revive his career with a new television series, Hancock leaves for Australia, confident he can win back Joan. It's a journey from which he will never return.