UKTV has announced a new retrospective special dedicated to the classic BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine, to be hosted by actor and comedian Brian Conley. Titled The Last Drop of Summer Wine, the programme is currently in production and expected to air next year.
Conley will revisit key locations from the series, which became a worldwide tourist attraction, and speak with families of cast members, local residents, and friends of the show. The special will also feature brand new written reflections from the series' original creator and writer, Sir Roy Clarke, now 96, drawn from his personal archives.
Sir Roy Clarke said: '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.' Conley, who guest-starred in a 2008 episode, added: 'I am delighted to be hosting this look back at the longest running TV sitcom in the world.'
Commissioner Jason Dawson noted that viewers remain devoted to the show six decades after it began, while producer Lindsay Jex highlighted the contributions of the local Holmfirth community, who provided a 'treasure trove' of photos, scripts, and props from their attics and garages.
The Last Drop of Summer Wine joins UKTV's growing roster of comedy retrospectives, including Becoming Victoria Wood and Open All Hours: Inside Out, with more specials on the way.
