A memorable death in the first instalment of Matthew Vaughn’s spy caper does not appear to have prevented the actor returning for a sequel

Last year’s Kingsman: The Secret Service was notable for many things. The enormous box office (£319m worldwide). The divided critical opinion. The 38 complaints set to the BBFC, mostly taking issue with a protracted scene in which Colin Firth’s debonair spy-maker massacres scores of people in a church. And his character’s death soon after – apparently for good, presumed a bit of a blow for the sequel prospects.

But director Matthew Vaughn has subsequently hinted he might try to revive the character, and a promotional poster released in April for the new film featured his glasses, with the line “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. Now, the rumours appear to have been confirmed: Firth has been pictured on the set, in what does not appear to be a flashback.

Hide behind Harry. #SafePlace #Kingsman2 #TheGoldenCircle A photo posted by Pedro Pascal (@pascalispunk) on Jul 10, 2016 at 5:59am PDT

Also returning for Kingsman: The Golden Circle (due out next summer) are stars Taron Egerton and Mark Strong, as well as director Vaughn and co-writer Jane Goldman. This time they’ll also be joined by an eclectic cast including Channing Tatum, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, Vinnie Jones and Elton John.