Hitchhikers Guide returns to Radio 4

New episodes of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy are to air on Radio 4 - 25 years after it first started.

The BBC has today officially announced that the show will return to the air on September 21, for a six-part series.

Most of the original radio cast have been reunited for the new episodes, which will air as the new Hollywood version of the book nears completion.

Simon Jones stars as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Susan Sheridan as Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox and Stephen Moore as Marvin The Paranoid Android.

William Franklyn will provide the voice Of The Book, following on from his late friend Peter Jones.

Author Douglas Adams, who died in 2001, will also feature in the new episodes, which are based on his last three books: Life, The Universe And Everything, So Long And Thanks For All The Fish and Mostly Harmless.

He always intended to play the part of Agrajag and recorded the part a few years before his death. These tapes have been incorporated into the new recordings by producers at independent company Above The Title, which is making the show.

Executive producer Bruce Hyman said: "It's a sad irony, but rather wonderful as well that Douglas plays an immortal character, because in a way he is immortal through his work."

Joanna Lumley, Leslie Phillips and Henry Blofeld also make cameo appearances.

The programmes were adapted and directed by Adams' original choice for the job, Dirk Maggs, following instructions and notes Adams made in preparation for these productions.

Another new series is scheduled to air in spring 2005, and a preview can be heard at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/

Other comedy highlights unveiled by Radio 4 today include:

• Johnny Vegas starring in Norman, a play specially written for him about “a man who has learnt how to live on the margins of society, without bitterness, pride or a single direct debit” to be aired on July 19.
• A new series of Trevor's World Of Sport, written by Andy Hamilton and starring Neil Pearson, after it was dropped by BBC1.
• It’s That Jo Caulfield Again, from the stand-up and So Graham Norton writer, starting on October 7
• And the return of The Consultants in December.

Published: 21 Jun 2004