A new two-hour television special dedicated to the iconic sitcom Last of the Summer Wine will offer fresh insights into the beloved characters and setting of the show. Titled The Last Drop of Summer Wine, the program is described as an exploration of Sir Roy Clarke's classic series, the longest-running BBC sitcom in the world.
Actor and comedian Brian Conley will guide viewers on a journey to Holmfirth and the heart of Summer Wine country in Yorkshire. The special will revisit locations that became global tourist attractions and feature interviews with families of cast members, local residents, and friends of the show.
Brian Conley said, “I am delighted to be hosting this look back at the longest running TV sitcom in the world. Getting the chance to share all the amazing stories, the fun, the laughter, and above all the love, was a real honour.”
Exclusively for this special, Sir Roy Clarke has created a selection of “brand-new written reflections” inspired by the series. Woven throughout the program, these reflections offer a personal response to the characters, places, and enduring legacy of Last of the Summer Wine, giving Clarke’s unmistakable voice a central role in the celebration.
Clarke remarked, “It’s been a pleasure to work on this one. We've squeezed all the juice that we can with love and affection. I've enjoyed this wander down Memory Lane as I hope the viewers will.”
The film will also feature unseen photos, scripts, and scrapbooks from Sir Roy Clarke’s personal archives, along with family photos from the families of Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, Kathy Staff, and the show’s long-term producer and director, Alan JW Bell.
Bill Owen, who played Compo, died in 1999 aged 85. Peter Sallis, known for decades as Norman Clegg, passed away in 2017. Kathy Staff, who portrayed Nora Batty for 243 episodes, died in 2008.
Last of the Summer Wine first aired on the BBC in 1973 and ran for 31 series, concluding in 2010. All 295 episodes, including Christmas specials, television films, and a one-off prequel, were written by Sir Roy Clarke. The original cast featured Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, and Michael Bates, alongside John Coman and Jane Freeman as café owners Sid and Ivy. Over the years, the cast included Russ Abbot, Jean Alexander, Trevor Bannister, Dame Thora Hird, Burt Kwouk, Brian Murphy, Tom Owen, Brian Wilde, Gordon Wharmby, June Whitfield, and many others. Brian Conley himself previously appeared in a guest role.
The Last Drop of Summer Wine has been commissioned by UKTV commissioning executive Jason Dawson and will air on U&GOLD in 2027. Dawson commented, “Six decades since it began, our viewers are still utterly devoted to Last of the Summer Wine, and we're honoured to have Sir Roy Clarke, Brian Conley and the brilliant producers at Phil McIntyre working with us to celebrate and reward that devotion with this wonderful film. Besides, any excuse to visit Holmfirth right?”
