‘Still Open All Hours’ is to return for a third series.
The BBC have announced the comedy spin-off – which began in 2014 – will hit screens again with a Christmas special and Sir David Jason, who plays Granville, can’t wait to start filming again in the next few weeks.
He said: "I can’t wait for viewers to see the scrapes Granville gets into this series, almost as much as I can’t wait to start filming them. Roy Clarke has once again written seven fantastically warm, funny and inventive scripts, full of the humour and eccentric characters that the nation has come to love over the years."
The new series will see the likes of Maggie Ollerenshaw as Mavis, Johnny Vegas as Eric Kulvinder Ghir as Cyril, Brigit Forsyth as Madge, Nina Wadia as Mrs Hussein and Geoffrey Whitehead as Mr Newbold all return, but Lynda Baron – who first played Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the original 1970s series ‘Open All Hours’ – is unable to return due to her commitments with ‘EastEnders’.
She said: "I was thrilled by the huge success of ‘Still Open All Hours’ and was very happy to be a part of it. However this year it just isn’t possible to fit it in with my schedule. I am disappointed not least because it is beyond doubt the nicest cast and crew a girl could wish for. There are as many laughs off the set as there are on. Long may they stay ‘Open All Hours’."
The Christmas special will see Granvile and Gastric (Tim Healy) play marriage counsellors, while Leroy (James Baxter) is also having a different kind of relationship trouble.
Mrs. Featherstone (Stephanie Cole) struggles to get into the Christmas spirit despite attempts by Kath (Sally Lindsay) to rally the street together for a carol singing contest, and executive producer Gareth Edwards has promised the episode will be the most "festive" yet.
He said: "I continue to be bowled over by the incredible audience response to ‘Still Open All Hours’, so it’s a real pleasure to welcome the series back to BBC One. The opening Christmas special is our most festive yet, and the wonderful mind of Roy Clarke has conjured up many more eccentric, classic adventures for Granville and the gang over the series."
Chris Sussman, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios, added: "It’s brilliant for BBC Studios to keep on working with comedy legends Sir David Jason and Roy Clarke. Long may it last!"
Still Open All Hours to return for third series
