The iconic BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running sitcom in television history, is set to return to screens after 16 years with a special episode that delves into its enduring legacy.
A Historic Return
The show 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. While other sitcoms such as Not Going Out, Birds of a Feather, and My Family have come close in episode count, Last of the Summer Wine still holds its place as the longest-running sitcom, even 16 years after its last episode aired.
The Special Episode
U&GOLD is heading back to Yorkshire for The Last Drop of Summer Wine, an exploration of Sir Roy Clarke's classic series. Actor and comedian Brian Conley takes viewers on a jaunt to Holmfirth and the heart of Summer Wine country to revisit the locations that became a worldwide tourist attraction. He meets the families of cast members, local residents, and friends of the show.
Exclusively for this new special, Sir Roy Clarke has created a selection of brand-new written reflections inspired by the series. Woven throughout the special, these offer a personal response to the characters, places, and enduring legacy of Last of the Summer Wine, giving Sir Clarke's unmistakable voice a central role in the celebration.
The film will also feature unseen photos, scripts, and scrapbooks from the personal archives of Sir Roy Clarke, 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.
Cast and Crew Comments
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.”
Sir Roy Clarke added: “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 Original Cast and Legacy
The original cast comprised the trio of Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, and Michael Bates, alongside John Coman and Jane Freeman as café owners Sid and Ivy, and Kathy Staff's Nora Batty. Over the years, the show included Russ Abbot, Jean Alexander, Trevor Bannister, Dame Thora Hird, Burt Kwouk, Brian Murphy, Tom Owen, Brian Wilde, Gordon Wharmby, June Whitfield, and many more. Brian Conley previously appeared in the series in a guest role.
The Last Drop of Summer Wine is commissioned for UKTV by Jason Dawson, commissioning executive, and ordered by Emma Tibbetts, director of programming, scripted, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The special is produced by Phil Mcintyre Television, with Lindsay Jex as producer, Adele Fowler as talent producer, and Lucy Ansbro as executive producer.
A Fond Farewell and New Beginnings
By the late 2000s, the BBC chose to modernise its schedule and appeal to younger audiences. While Last of the Summer Wine still pulled in a very respectable 4 million viewers per episode, and up to 5.4 million for its final swansong, the network's comedy commissioners decided the show no longer fit the broadcaster's direction.
BBC One celebrated the end of the long-running series with special editions of Countryfile and Songs of Praise, both from Holmfirth, the Yorkshire village where the series was filmed. Now, fans can look forward to a new chapter with The Last Drop of Summer Wine, airing on U&GOLD.
