Sir David Jason To Return In Full Series Of 'Open All Hours'?
The BBC were so impressed with a one-off Christmas special of the classic sitcom Open All Hours that a full series is being planned for 2014. Producer Gareth Edwards confirmed plans for a series to The Sun, saying, "I can't say too much about the plot, but it does involve anchovy paste - that's all I'm saying."
During filming of the Christmas special, the Sheffield Star quoted Edwards as saying "there is a lot of optimism to take this project forward" and "there is a lot of life in the world that writer Roy Clarke has created."
However, Edwards noted that getting the Christmas special right remains his first priority. "There has been so much interest in the return of Open All Hours that we have to get the programme right - that's our first priority," he said.
In the original series, Sir David Jason and Lynda Baron starred alongside the late RONNIE BARKER - who played Albert Arkwright. The show ran from 1973 to 1985 and was set in a cornershop. In the new episode, Sir David's Granville owns the shop following the death of his uncle Arkwright.
Last month, Sir David, 73, said he was excited about his return for the Christmas special, saying, "I am sure there is an audience out there who would like to see what Granville has been getting up to in the corner shop. It will be a great family show for Christmas and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright."
Since 1992, Jason has been mainly associated with ITV after signing a golden-handcuffs deal for multiple series of A Touch of Frost, on which he plays Detective Inspector Jack Frost. He played the role for 16 years, retiring after a two-part finale in 2010.
Next page: pictures from the set of 'Still Open All Hours'
Filmed in Balby (exterior), Doncaster, the special titled Still Open All Hours explores Granville running the shop with his son Leroy played by James Baxter. Interior scenes will be recorded in early December 2013 at MediaCityUK in Salford in front of a live-studio-audience.
Comedian and actor Johnny Vegas has a role in the special, though his character is yet to be confirmed.
Sir David Jason [L] and Stephanie Cole [R] On The Set Of 'Still Open All Hours'