A beloved British sitcom is set for a one-off television special, presented by comedy legend Brian Conley. The Last Drop of Summer Wine is a two-hour celebration honouring the longest-running sitcom in the world, offering fresh insights into its cherished characters and iconic setting.
Exploring Summer Wine Country
The special, described as an in-depth exploration of Sir Roy Clarke's classic BBC series, will take viewers on a journey to Holmfirth and the heart of Summer Wine country in Yorkshire. Brian Conley will revisit iconic locations that have become a global tourist destination, while meeting families of cast members, local residents, and longstanding friends of the show.
Conley said: "I am delighted to be hosting this look back at the longest-running TV sitcom in the world. Getting the chance to share all the amazing stories, the fun, the laughter, and above all the love, was a real honour."
New Reflections from Sir Roy Clarke
Exclusively created for this special, Clarke has crafted a series of brand-new written reflections inspired by the show. Woven throughout the programme, these offer a deeply personal response to the characters, locations, and enduring legacy of Last of the Summer Wine, placing Clarke's unmistakable voice at the heart of the celebration.
Clarke remarked: "It's been a pleasure to work on this one. We've squeezed all the juice that we can with love and affection. I've enjoyed this wander down Memory Lane as I hope the viewers will."
Archive Treasures and Cast Tributes
The film will showcase previously unseen photographs, scripts, and scrapbooks from Sir Roy Clarke's personal archives, alongside family photographs from the families of Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, Kathy Staff, and the show's long-serving producer and director, Alan JW Bell. Owen, who portrayed Compo, passed away in 1999 at age 85; Sallis, who played Norman Clegg, died in 2017; and Staff, known for her role as Nora Batty, died in 2008.
Last of the Summer Wine debuted on the BBC in 1973 and ran for 31 series, concluding in 2010. All 295 episodes, including Christmas specials, television films, and a one-off prequel, were penned by Sir Roy Clarke. The original cast featured Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, and Michael Bates, alongside John Coman and Jane Freeman as café proprietors Sid and Ivy. Over the years, the cast expanded to include Russ Abbot, Jean Alexander, Trevor Bannister, Dame Thora Hird, Burt Kwouk, Brian Murphy, Tom Owen, Brian Wilde, Gordon Wharmby, June Whitfield, and many more.
Brian Conley previously appeared in the series as a guest. The Last Drop of Summer Wine has been commissioned by UKTV's Jason Dawson and is set to air on U&GOLD in 2027.
Dawson said: "Six decades since it began, our viewers are still utterly devoted to Last of the Summer Wine, and we're honoured to have Sir Roy Clarke, Brian Conley and the brilliant producers at Phil McIntyre working with us to celebrate and reward that devotion with this wonderful film. Besides, any excuse to visit Holmfirth, right?"
