Romantic Getaway : Johnny Vegas stars in Romesh Ranganathan comedy

Branded a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story, the series – co-written and executive produced by Romesh – features a couple whose desperation for a baby ends in a downward spiral into the criminal underworld.

The six-parter follows Allison (Ryan) and Deacon (Ranganathan) who, after countless IVF attempts, are faced with the possibility that their dream of having a family might not happen.

What's the show about?

Unable to afford more rounds, and with mounting debts, they soon come up with a solution: to "borrow" £50k from their filthy rich boss Alfie -played by St Helens' Johnny.

But there is a slight problem: this loan is unbeknown to Alfie.

READ>Plans for new skate park revealed

And whilst in the act, Deacon spontaneously adds an extra ‘0’ to the amount they had planned on, leaving the pair with a very conspicuous £500,000 to hide.

Now, whilst contending with the gruelling process of IVF, they must figure out how to use the money to avoid getting caught – and fast.

The stars of Romantic Getaway (Image: PA)

Talking about the series Romesh, 44, said: "It’s a relationship comedy heist.

"I think the relationship and the heist elements are as equally as important as each other in the show – actually probably the relationship more so and what they’re going through, trying to have IVF, trying to have a baby.

"But the crime (element) just enables you to put more pressure on them. So it’s a relationship comedy heist. That’s my answer.

Asked why it was so important to examine issues such as IVF, Katherine said: "I talk about women’s fertility a lot on my podcasts, in my stand-up, as I feel like it’s relevant to not just my audience, but a really wide audience.

"In some way, shape or form, I think everyone can relate to how truly heart-breaking it is when your health doesn’t match up with what your plans are for yourself. That lack of control and trauma.

"And it was really important to have that piece of realism in what is such a fun, exciting comedy drama. It really keeps the viewer on side with Deacon and Allison because you go, ‘You know, they’re not just bad people who want to be bad – they’re in an impossible, desperate situation’. It’s as touching in that respect, as it is wild and funny.

'We always wanted it to be Johnny'

Asked about the cast, he added: "We always wanted it to be Katherine.

"We always wanted it to be Johnny. And then the others, we kind of looked for. But when you do the casting, sometimes people take the role beyond what you thought of the original character.

"So for example, Phaldut (Sharma), who plays Kethan my uncle in it, I always knew he was going to be a funny character because we’d written this smarmy prick.

"But Phaldut took it to another level. As soon as he started doing it, you just knew it was going to be greater than the sum of its parts.

Discussing what room for improvisation the comics had on set Romesh said: "Johnny Vegas pretty much exclusively improvised.

"That makes it sound like he didn’t know his lines – he did. But he would just top the line. He was unbelievable at it – it was so funny to watch him work."

Asked what audiences can take from the series, Romesh added: "Three things: I want it to be exciting, I want (audiences) to get involved in the pressure of the crime situation – I’d love them to find it funny.

"But I’d also love them to be invested in Allison and Deacon’s journey to have a baby. Those are things that we worked really hard on writing and bringing to screen.

"And those are things that don’t always work together, yet here they’re playing alongside each other. There was a lot of discussion during the writing process about what we turn up and what we turn down in terms of what’s going on."

Romantic Getaway lands on Sky Comedy and NOW on Sunday, January 1.