Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has confirmed the show will return for a further two seasons.

In addition to the forthcoming fifth run, which Knight is currently writing, the BBC gangster series starring Cillian Murphy will stay on the channel for even longer than fans expected.

“We are definitely doing [series] six and we will probably do seven,” he told the Birmingham Press Club.

“We've talked to [lead actor] Cillian Murphy and he's all for it, and the rest of the principal cast are in for it.”

Knight also revealed plans to place the Shelby family front and centre of a ballet version of the hit series after being approached by Rambert dance company.

He said: “I had a meeting with Ballet Rambert who want to do Peaky Blinders - The Ballet. I'm saying 'why not?'

“I wasn’t supposed to say anything about it, but I don’t mind talking about things.“

The most recent season of Peaky Blinders ended in December with protagonist Tommy Shelby (Murphy) becoming elected Labour MP for Birmingham.

Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Show all 15 1 /15 Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Cillian Murphy filming at the horse fair BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art The Eden Club BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Inside The Eden Club BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art The new Garrison pub BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Inside the new Garrison pub BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art London (though scenes were actually filmed in Bolton) BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art London, post bar fight BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Solomon's Headquarters BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Inside Solomon's Headquarters BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Tommy's office BBC Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art Peaky Blinders: Behind-the-scenes and concept art

Production on the next run of episodes begins in Birmingham this Autumn with stars Paul Anderson and Helen McCrory expected to return