But Black Books might return on stage

Black Books is to end after the next series ­ but it could return as a stage show.

Star Dylan Moran has said the Channel 4 sitcom has come to the end of its natural life, and didn't want to continue just because it was popular.

In an interview with The Independent, he said: "We wouldn't want to feel we were tickling up a horse that just wants to die. You don't want to get the feeling that you're pumped up on steroids while supported by very thin legs that are going to collapse at any minute.

"I don't subscribe to the idea of providing more of the same. You have to keep constantly trying to push things and keep the material alive. It's death to an artist to think, 'That went well - now I'll try and do the same thing again.' "

His co-star Bill Bailey added: "We don't want to stretch it beyond its natural life like they did when they took Only Fools And Horses to Miami."

But Moran revealed: "We have talked about a stage version of Black Books. We might do it if one of us needs an organ transplant. I don't know whether it'll be the lungs or the liver first."

The third and final series starts on Channel 4 on Thursday.

Published: 9 Mar 2004