As well as all the books, she bought the Sunderland Echo and Daily Mirror every day to read about Andy’s escapades. She said 30 years ago: “I just think it’s a brilliant cartoon strip.

About the Album: 'Andy Capp' is an exuberant musical, with a delightful score by Alan Price and Trevor Peacock. The show conjures up the timeless dream world of work-shy, beer-swilling "Andy Capp ...

It's an often quoted expression - "two can live as cheaply as one" - but if one of the two is Andy Capp, then it's not so easy.