He has an elaborate set of first names: Giovanni Vincenzo Marco Dino Alberto Leonardo etc. When he doesn't understand something he says scusi. When shocked or surprised, he often catchphrases like "Santa Maria", "Santa Daisy", "Okey Cokey", "Buona Sera" or "Holy Ravioli". Giovanni's main problem with English is understanding metaphors and large words, though he often answers wrongly on purpose to amuse the class. He is best friends with Max, who becomes his flatmate.
Only Miss Courtney calls him by his full name everyone else calls him Sid. Tommy Godfrey (20 episodes) as Sidney (Series 1–3), the school caretaker, a rough, roguish Cockney in his sixties who speaks in rhyming slang.She often cajoles Mr Brown and tattles on Miss Courtney. She has a friendly relationship with both Sidney and Mr Brown.
In the third season, it is revealed that she is a widow. She is a vivacious, friendly woman in her seventies.
Brown is up to the challenge but often exasperated by the students' creative interpretations of the English language.
He was hired in the series pilot, in which he was warned that the students drove the previous teacher insane. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University. He is a good-natured, earnest single man in his thirties who lives alone.