Lou and Andy - Andy's Other Carers

Andy's Other Carers

In the episodes of series 1, Lou regularly mentioned an unheard and unseen character called Maria, who was his predecessor as Andy's caretaker. Unfortunately, she became too ill to care for Andy, and was taken to a hospital. She later died in the episode which shows Lou and Andy getting prepared for the funeral.

In one episode of series 3, Lou's mother had died, so Lou had to return to his father's house in order to take care of him. As a replacement, Social Services sent Andy the strict Mrs. Mead (Imelda Staunton), who got Andy to clean the flat (stating it was a pigsty). Further ruining Andy's lifestyle, she disabled his television, threw out his chocolate and crisps (replacing his dinner with stew as a main course and a pear as dessert); started holding church services straight after dinner; and thumping his leg, to Andy's dismay. Andy claims he can't feel a thing when Mrs. Mead thumps it, but when she goes to the kitchen, he cries out from the pain he was enduring.

Later in the episode, Mrs. Mead takes Andy to the White Cilffs of Dover, where she says he must learn how to move his wheelchair himself, as well as get a job. With her facing the sea, Andy gets out of his chair and throws Mrs. Mead off the cliff, killing her. Andy then gets back in his wheelchair, turns round, and begins to wheel himself home.

After the end credits have rolled, Andy hears Lou returning home. Andy grins, then jumps out of his wheelchair to greet him, but then runs back to his chair, fearing that if Lou sees him like that, he'll leave.