Details of new series emerge

The next series of the League of Gentlemen will have a new format and new characters - and some old favourites will be absent.

Most of each episode will concentrate on one of Royston Vasey's residents, rather than featuring a number of shorter sketches as before.

Yet all the storylines will converge on the same as-yet unknown event.

Fans will be disappointed that creations such as the toad-loving Dentons, Hillary Briss the butcher and the local shop will not feature - although Tubbs and Edward do make an appearance.

The League's Steve Pemberton said: "Three-quarters of each episode is devoted to one character, but they all finish at the same point.

"[But there is] a couple of sketches and a sub-plot at the end where we can feature new characters.

"A lot of the big-hitters have gone, and that was quite deliberate - it was time to move things forward."

Writing in the October issue of Arena, which also includes script extracts from the forthcoming series, Pemberton reveals that the new creations include the heartless GP Dr Carlton.

The first week's episode is about Pauline and her release from prison; the second features joke shop owner Lance Longhthorne; in the third gun-wielding businessman Geoff Tipps tries to become a stand-up comic; the fourth is about Alvin Steeles from the B&B; the fifth concerns Charlie Hull and the sixth is set in the charity shop.

The show starts on BBC2 from September 26.

Published: 10 Sep 2002