The Vicar of Dibley returns to screens 30 years after debut episode – with unseen footage that never made it to air
THE Vicar of Dibley is returning to screens ahead of its 30th anniversary – with fans treated to never before seen footage.
The beloved sitcom – which launched in 1994 – centred around Dawn French‘s character Geraldine Grainer.
She arrived in the Dibley as the village’s new vicar, but struggled at first to win over the locals.
The show also starred Emma Chambers, Gary Waldhorn, Trevor Peacock, Roger Lloyd Pack and John Bluthal, who have all sadly died.
It ran for just three series but pulled in millions of viewers and is still adored to this day.
Three decades on, fans will get to enjoy the BBC series as it lands on TV streaming platform Now.
A special tab hosts some of The Vicar of Dibley‘s most memorable episodes – such as Geraldine being completely submerged after throwing herself into a puddle.
It also includes the 2021 special ‘Inside Out’ where Dawn, 67, and Richard Curtis look back at memorable episodes with never-before-seen footage also included.
Bosses are also releasing a new episode each day, starting with series one.
Meanwhile, Dawn French previously revealed she was returning to comedy – 17 years after The Vicar of Dibley ended.
Can You Keep a Secret? is a six-part series created and written by Simon Mayhew-Archer, the talent behind hits like This Country and Josh.
In this new comedy, Dawn plays Debbie Fenton – a widower, lawn bowler, and self-proclaimed protector of her family.
The new show is a co-production between Big Talk Studios, Mayhay Studios, and CBS Studios and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.