Iconic BBC sitcom to make surprise return to screens two years after death of creator

Two Doors Down is making a return to screens for a Christmas special later this year. The BBC sitcom - which followed the lives of residents living on a Scottish backstreet - initially ran for seven series from 2016 until 2023, and it was originally thought that no more episodes would be produced following the death of creator Simon Carlyle at the age of just 48.

But the broadcaster has now announced that the programme will indeed return for a festive episode, and Simon's co-creator Gregor Sharp has written the script.

He said: “It’s really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they’re the perfect group to celebrate the season with.” The ensemble cast is made up of a host of Scottish talent, with Alex Norton and Arabella Weir starring as Eric and Beth Baird, whilst Jonathan Watson and Doon Mackichan play their neighbours Colin and Cathy Whyte.

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Elaine C. Smith and Graeme Stevely will be back in their roles as Christine O'Neal and Alan respectively, whilst Joy McAvoy will make a comeback as Michelle, and Beth and Eric’s son Ian (Jamie Quinn) will return with his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). The action will unfold when all the neighbours pile into Beth and Eric's house to celebrate Christmas.

Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, said: “We’re so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can’t wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric’s for another tortuous Christmas. Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we’re hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.”

Confirmation of the special comes just months after actor Kieron let slip that something was on the way as he spoke of how "though" it would be to get back together without their creator, telling The Daily Record : “The first day on set without Simon will be tough for everyone. He was such an integral part of the filming, let alone the writing. He was there every day, all day. He was our friend. He was giving us notes. He was supervising it and guiding it.

Carlyle also wrote for Changing Ends, an ITV comedy series about Alan Carr growing up in the 1980s, and BBC LGBT+ show Boy Meets Girl. There no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, it's been reported. Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of our friend and colleague Simon Carlyle.

"Simon was a wonderful comedy talent who, amongst many other credits, co-created and wrote the multi award winning series Two Doors Down. His warm comic voice shone through these characters, garnering huge audience affection, and firmly establishing it as a long-lasting sitcom favourite. Our sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

His death came before the seventh series of the sitcom went to air, and it eventually moved from BBC Two to BBC One for broadcast, although all episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer. Around the same time, actor Grado claimed that there would be "no more" episodes produced, and the production team spoke of how "deeply saddened" they were by the news of Simon's death.

The sitcom’s production team added: "We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. Simon was a brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being. He had a microscopic fascination with what makes funny things funnier and we were so lucky to have known him. He was at the centre of all the work we made together and his loss will be felt profoundly by all of us. We send love and support to his family and friends."

"Farewell @Simoncarlyle - I am totally devo’ed by your leaving us. The laughs won’t ever be the same. Sleep well pal. #RIPSimonCarlyle," one Twitter user wrote this evening, as another fan tweeted Caryle's Twitter account saying: "I’m devastated to hear you’re no longer with us. We started speaking when #TwoDoorsDown very first came on TV. Thanks for always being so kind to me and thank you for such an incredible show! I’ll miss our little chats. Thinking of everyone who knew you. Love."

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