Unhappy with both his marriage to the aristocratic, frigid Angela and his job as top public relations executive in the London talent agency promoting egotistic pop idol Barry Black, Peter Reaney turns to drinking and philandering. After he arrives home drunk one day Peter and Angela quarrel and separate. At the agency, Black is confronted by 17-year-old Mary Gray, who claims he has impregnated her. Rather than hazard their client's marriage or the notoriety of a paternity suit, the agency arranges an abortion. Indignant, Peter resigns. Following a wild party in Soho, Peter and his best friend, Val Pringle, an agency writer, return to the latter's home, where Val passes out. Peter and Val's wife, Jody, enjoy intercourse and realize their love for one another. Some time later, Jody and Peter return from a movie to discover Val in bed with Frances, Jody's glamorous friend. Although Peter intends to tell Val of his love for Jody, Val is killed in a truck accident. Badly shaken, Peter resolves to assume the care of Jody and her children. Returning to work at the agency, he learns that Mary Gray's abortion proved fatal and that the company has paid Mary's grieving mother to keep her quiet. After the inquest, Peter goes to Black's country mansion, which is surrounded by screaming adolescent fans. Peter tells the group the unflattering truth about their idol, punches Black in the nose, and, turning his back forever on his former way of life, walks away with Jody.