Ordinary Lies, TV review: Despite being utterly spineless, Mackenzie Crook's 'Paracetamol Pete' remains inexplicably endearing

Episode 5: The employees of JS Motors have all got dark secrets but Pete's are darker than most

Mackenzie Crook as Pete in 'Ordinary Lies' (BBC)

Talk about keeping your cards to your chest. The ever-silent ‘Paracetamol’ Pete finally speaks - and what a tale he has to tell. From his secret child to battling a gambling addiction, we knew his story was going to be good - and we weren't wrong.

Despite being a cheat, a gambler and utterly spineless, Mackenzie Crook's 'Paracetamol Pete' remains inexplicably endearing – a bit like a naughty puppy who’s just peed all over your new sofa again. He keeps making the wrong decisions over and over but we want it to all work out for him even if he did cheat on his wife the night after her first miscarriage.

Crook has come miles from his days as the perpetually awkward Gareth on The Office – he's made it big and starred opposite Johnny Depp in Hollywood blockbusters and even had a role in Game of Thrones.

Admittedly, he’s still pretty tongue-tied at times as Pete but Crook shows he has range. The scenes as he assumes the father role have you rooting for him, while his car salesman proves to be so adept that even I would buy a car from him.

The only thing that wasn’t surprising was 'Fat' Jase’s confession that his girlfriend is physically abusing him. George Bukhari gives a moving performance as he temporarily breaks away from the cheeky chappie persona that Jason portrays to the world. Even if he doesn't get his own episode, this short scene shows that he can carry his own episode.

We’ve been blessed with some great stories – even if last week wasn’t quite up to scratch – that have made Tuesday evenings an exciting telly night. With only one episode left, I, for one, will be having withdrawal symptoms once this northern drama ends.