Only Fools And Horses star John Challis and Coronation Street’s Sherrie Hewson have been named as some of the all-star cast reviving Are You Being Served? for a one-off special.
The pair will play Captain Peacock and Mrs Slocombe respectively in the episode which BBC bosses say will pick up where Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s classic comedy left off.
Set in 1988, the special finds Mathew Horne’s Young Mr Grace, grandson of the original store owner, determined to drag Grace Brothers into the modern world but finding his efforts hampered by a senior staff who are stuck in another era.
The new cast also includes Bafta-award winning Jason Watkins as Mr Humphries, Roy Barraclough as Mr Grainger, Arthur Smith as Mr Harmon and Niky Wardley as Miss Brahms.
Joining them are Jorgie Porter (Hollyoaks) as Miss Croft and Kayode Ewumi who plays Mr Conway, a new member of staff who joins the team.
The special is being written by Derren Litten who said the show was “the most fun I have ever had as a professional writer.
“We have an amazing cast, a brilliant producer and a great director, it was just too exciting an opportunity to pass up and I am unanimous in that.”
Shane Allen,Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, added: “The Are You Being Served? special is a riot of a script from Derren and has attracted a real comedy pedigree cast to pay homage to this glorious and much-loved show.”
Are You Being Served? will be filmed next month in front of a studio audience and is part of a comedy season celebrating the 60th anniversary of television sitcoms.