Main characters of any sitcom are there to lead the humor and carry the storyline, with their background and personality being more detailed than the supporting casts'.
However, the supporting characters are required to be every bit as good, to enhance the show. British sitcoms have a great range of supporting roles, which although are minor, are still acknowledged with high regard and recognized as being integral to the programs they're a part of. With their individual quirks and idiosyncrasies, British sitcoms wouldn't be as successful as they are without the whole cast.
Gavin and Stacey
Dawn
It's not just two families that join together through the marriage of Gavin and Stacey, but a whole host of family friends who are brought along too. Gavin's parent's close friends Dawn and Pete make sporadic appearance's throughout the series and their scenes are always worthwhile. Dawn's scatty nature is the source of great frustration to her husband Pete, but her dramatic outbursts are a gem amongst the series funniest moments.
Peter Kay's Car Share
Ray
The broad spectrum of settings for British sitcoms range from hotels to schools. Both are places where plenty of tomfoolery and comical accidents can happen, with expressive physicality. Having almost a whole series set in a car comes with its limitations and challenges, but the high standard of acting made Peter Kay's Car Share work just as well as any other series. As a one off character in the first series, Ray is an unwelcome (and evidently smelly) passenger to John and Kayleigh. Played by Reece Shearsmith, the character may be irritating, but the likes of his rendition of "Here Comes The Hotstepper," is enough to make him one of the most memorable characters on the show.
Derek
Tom
Derek revolves around a care home for the elderly, run by Hannah. As an assistant at the care home, Derek looks after and shows an untold amount of kindness to the residents. Though each scene's mood is predominantly conveyed through the main characters, supporting characters like Tom intensify the emotions, to give the audience a real sense of what's being felt. As Hannah's boyfriend, he was great at portraying the effects Hannah's job had on their relationship and how overwhelming life at the care home could be.
The Vicar Of Dibley
Jim
The parish council in The Vicar Of Dibley is run by a colorful group of people with some bizarre quirks. Jim Trott is a classic example of the eccentric characters, that aren't necessarily always on screen, but it's always a joy when they are. As one of the older gentlemen on the parish council, he has a very distinctive trait. In almost every instance of Jim talking, he starts off by stuttering "no,no,no,no," even if he means yes. A simple yet effective idiosyncrasy, that made a smaller character stand out.
The Royle Family
Norma
To quip about disliking your in-laws is a typical running joke in British humor and The Royle Family ran with it. Slobbish Jim Royle, lounges around doing little more than changing TV channel, whilst his kindhearted wife Barbara works hard to keep her family happy.
When her mother Norma visits, Jim revels in winding her up, and their love-hate relationship always results in some chucklesome moments. Liz Smith embodies the role of Norma so brilliantly, it feels as though she is the grandmother of almost every British household, with a sweet demeanor and a sense of humor that only grandparents can get away with.
I'm Alan Partridge
Sophie
Of course the lead characters need to have great comic timing in any comedy. But, the reactions of other characters can often add to the already funny joke. Alan Partridge is absurdly delusional, and for a time lived in the Linton Travel Tavern. He attempted to get his broadcasting career on track, which he was undoubtedly incapable of doing. During his time at the hotel (which include some of the best episodes of I'm Alan Partridge,) the receptionist Sophie could be seen avoiding him or trying hard to not laugh at his ridiculousness. Oftentimes, watching someone attempt to suppress their laughter, only increases the laughter of an audience.
Only Fools And Horses
Trigger
You would be hard-pushed to find a British household that doesn't recognize the names Del-boy and Rodney. The two fictional characters are renowned for their humorous, wheeler-dealer antics in and around London. But, the characters that were often found in their local pub or at Sid's cafe, were equally as funny. Del-boy's longtime friend Trigger is vital to the Only Fools and Horses make up. His innocent stupidity is fondly watched, with each of his appearances giving a classic moment, including mistaking blinking, for a star disappearing and reappearing.
The Office UK
Jennifer
David Brent works with a variety of different people at Wernham Hogg. A few, like Tim and Dawn, don't take his leadership too seriously, whilst others such as Gareth, hang onto David's every cringey (but hilarious) word and buy into his bravado. But, the infrequently seen Jennifer Taylor-Clarke (David's boss) is something of an intimidating figure.
The opposing personality to David's relentless ludicrousness is ideal for highlighting his lack of professionalism, but is also a very watchable character in her own right. Each time Jennifer is in a scene, it's clear that something slightly more dramatic is due to happen.
People Just Do Nothing
Steve's Nan
The mockumentary People Just Do Nothing largely focuses on the pirate radio station Kurupt FM and its creators. However, there is also a subplot of family and friends, where the show gives a small insight to each of the main character's family life. Steve's is the softer character but a relentless drug user. His poor habit that comes with a host of negative connotations is no reflection of his simple personality. The series also sees him visit his Nan in her care home, and it quickly becomes clear where his drug habit stems from, as his nan encourages it. Seeing a warm and kindhearted grandparent presenting their grandson with drugs is a shock for sure, but her kindly manner makes for one of the most intriguing minor characters in the cast list, with some of People Just Do Nothing's funniest quotes.
Extras
Darren
As creators of The Office, it comes as no surprise that Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are as masterly on screen together as they are off screen. Gervais takes the lead role in Extras, whilst Merchant plays a smaller role of the inept acting agent. Andy (Ricky Gervais) tries to drive his stagnant acting career whilst Darren (Stephen Merchant) has no clue what he's doing. Merchant's physicality along with his acting ability allows him to perfectly portray the character, who is stupidly hilarious and produces some of the funniest scenes of Extras.