Birds of a Feather is returning for an hour-long Christmas special later this year.

The episode will see Sharon (Pauline Quirke), Tracey (Linda Robson) and Dorien (Lesley Joseph) go on a sun-filled trip abroad - though we are told it is not to Benidorm.

However, ITV has also told Digital Spy that there will not be a regular series from January, as they are struggling to get the cast together.

They nevertheless assured us that there will be more episodes in the future.

The show was revived back in 2014, with the latest series broadcasting earlier this year.

Of the Christmas special, Robson said: "Thank God it's official, us birds are all going to be doing an hour-long Christmas special not in Essex, but we're filming abroad for the first time in nearly 20 years.

"I'm so excited, the story line is brilliant and we're all so looking forward to Shal, Trace and Dor going on an amazing adventure."

Quirke added: "Us birds all together abroad can only mean one thing - mayhem! I'm really looking forward to filming this feature length Christmas special with the ladies."

The special will be penned by creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, with Gary Lawson and John Phelps.

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