Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson are to return to Gold for Murder, They Hope Christmas special

The 90-minute special, called Blood Actually, will feature guest appearances from Jane Horrocks, Robert Webb, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Samuel Anderson, Clive Russell and Terry Mynott.

Regulars Lee Mack, Sherrie Hewson and Sarah Hadland will be returning in the episode, which will again be written by comedian Jason Cook.

He said: ‘I am thrilled to be bringing back Gemma and Terry for Gold and even more excited that we are starting with the holy grail of television: the Christmas special. We have crammed as much Christmas into this as possible so I hope it proves to be a (blood soaked) Christmas present that all the family will enjoy watching.’

Gold will also be making another 90-minute stand-alone Murder, They Hope special for broadcast next year.

Vegas said: ‘I’m over the moon to be back again with the crew for these Murder, They Hope specials. To be working with Sian is brilliant and each instalment just keeps getting better. There’s so much for the viewers to look forward to in this one and I’m excited to get cracking.’

Gibson added: ‘So excited to be back with my old mate Johnny Vegas and a hilariously fabulous cast for another instalment of Murder, They Hope. There’s going to be more laughs, dramas and more horrific killing sprees, fun for all the family. Can’t wait to get started.’

Cook has formed a new production company, Schnoobert Productions, which will be making the new shows with Tiger Aspect.

The franchise started in 2017 with Murder on the Blackpool Express, which became one of Gold’s most-watched programmes. It was followed by the sequels Death On The Tyne and Dial M For Middlesbrough before being turned into the series Murder They Hope.