It's Mr Hughes' birthday. Nesbitt is arranging a surprise party, but as usual his bungling ways lead him down the wrong path. Aided by Celia and the Chaplain but hindered by his arch-rival Tom, Nesbitt finds the surprise is on him.
It seems the sands of time are fast running out for Nesbitt Gunn: his cookery programme is reduced to chaos, and the threat of blackmail rears its head at the chef's farewell party.
A Russian gala evening is Megla's contribution to television. Mr Hughes' attempts to exclude Gunn from the proceedings fail when the hapless producer finds himself harbouring a defector.
Is it careless driving or foul play that lands Nesbitt Gunn in hospital? The luckless producer is once again at the mercy of the unscrupulous Mr Hughes.