Hit BBC comedy series returning to screens – just one year after ending in shock U-turn
HIT BBC comedy series making a comeback just one year after shock ending in major U-turn.
The BBC drama Ghosts left viewers devastated as it concluded with its fifth and final season on Christmas Day over a year ago.
"Everyone involved is really excited that Ghosts will be on the big screen.
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"It’s hoped that most of the original cast will be able to reprise their roles.
"Producers have already signed up a few of them, and they’re in talks with the others. They think it’ll be a dream cast."
In the final episode of Ghosts, the ghouls persuaded Alison and Mike to sell their house to a hotel company, ensuring they wouldn't disrupt the couple's lives with their newborn daughter, Mia.
However, a flash forward showed Alison and Mike in their later years, frequently staying in their "usual suite" at the hotel to reunite with their spirit friends.
Fans admitted they were "weeping" and "not prepared for that ending" as they tuned in on December 25, 2023, for the emotional conclusion.
Taking to social media, one wrote: "‘The ending of #Ghosts destroyed me, I wasn’t ready I cried so much I’m gonna miss them.
Best BBC comedies
A BBC boss called on the industry to "save our sitcoms", but the corporation has a history of fantastic shows.
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) - Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) - The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek "Del Boy" Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters', in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 - 1989) - Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 - 2012) - Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina 'Eddie' Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay 'hip'. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 - 2006) - The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) - A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line 'Am I bovvered?'. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous 'Nan', Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 - Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
She said: "The ending was quite final in a satisfying way. I think it’s harder to cope with if it’s really open-ended, it’s nice to have that finality.
"But if there was another opportunity, definitely. It was so much fun."
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Before her critically-acclaimed performances on TV shows including Ghosts and Shrill, and roles in films such as Saltburn, Lolly began her career in stand-up comedy, performing in locations including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The actress stressed that while she feels that the comedy scene is "evolving in a very progressive, cool way" since her early career, there are also still big struggles that comedians have to face nowadays.