Wonderfully complex' show tells the story of a gay septuagenarian as he contemplates leaving his wife for his lifelong best friend

Mr Loverman is a story of love, secrets and lies told through the life of Caribbean family man and Hackney resident Barry Walker

"When I was writing Mr Loverman, I was Barrington and my husband would come home and I would say [putting on Barrington's voice]: ‘Oh hello darling, you want something to eat?’ "He'd be like, 'Why are you talking like that? Are you OK?’" she laughs.

The creator and lead actor of BBC’s new drama Mr Loverman have defended the show’s casting, following controversy about the practice of casting straight actors in gay roles. Mr Loverman is set in London and explores sexuality and race in Britain’s Caribbean community.