Sir David Jason has reprised his beloved role as Granville in a new Open All Hours special, marking the 50th anniversary of the classic sitcom. The feature-length programme, titled Open All Hours: Inside Out, will air on U&Gold and sees the actor donning the grocer's apron one last time.
The special, written by Roy Clarke, includes a concluding scene set after the shop closes for the evening, offering a touching glimpse into how Granville's life has moved on. It also features a retrospective look at all 67 episodes, from the original 1973 pilot to the 2019 finale, along with exclusive outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage.
Sir David, best known for his role in Only Fools and Horses, said he had no hesitation in agreeing to the project. 'I think revisiting Open All Hours was something that we all looked forward to,' he said. 'It was just so much fun to do and so much fun to be entertaining the audience, which after all is the first love of acting.'
The original Open All Hours ran from 1976 to 1985, starring the late Ronnie Barker as shopkeeper Albert Arkwright alongside Sir David as his nephew Granville. A sequel, Still Open All Hours, aired from 2013 to 2019. The new special features interviews with cast members including Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, and Ronnie Barker's daughter Charlotte Barker.
Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor for U&Gold, said: 'I can't wait for U&Gold audiences to see what we have cooked up for them. Open All Hours is one of those rare beasts that even after 50 years is still as timeless and relevant as ever.'
