I’m really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours ... It will be a great family show for Christmas and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright."

David Jason is reprising his role of Granville who, alongside his son, now runs the back-water grocery store inherited from his uncle Albert Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker in the original series.

Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis respectively, and the programme’s original writer, Roy Clarke, will pen the episode.

BBC Controller of UK Comedy Production, Mark Freeland, says: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome back to BBC comedy the magic pairing of David Jason and Roy Clarke. Having the chance to see Arkwright's beloved shop again, now run by Granville, I hope will bring broad grins to lots and lots of faces at Christmas.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One says: “BBC One’s Christmas schedule suddenly feels complete with the addition of this classic British comedy, which will see favourite Sir David Jason return as Granville for a special episode.”

The original series ran for 26 episodes across four series between 1973 and 1985.

Now, nearly 30 years later, we catch up on the situation at the corner shop as it is today.

Roy Clarke says: “This has been fun – a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today.”

David Jason says: “I’m really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours. I am sure there is an audience out there who would like to see what Granville has been getting up to in the corner shop. It will be a great family show for Christmas and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright.”

Open All Hours is a BBC In-House Comedy production and was commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, and BBC One Controller, Charlotte Moore. It is produced by Gareth Edwards, directed by Dewi Humphreys and executive produced by Mark Freeland and David Jason.

MJ