Series ends after 37 years

The BBC has axed Last of the Summer Wine after 37 years.

BBC One controller Jay Hunt says the final series will be shown this summer, and will be a ‘fitting farewell’ to the sitcom, which she referred to as a ‘heritage brand’.

All 289 episodes have been written by Roy Clarke, and the show still attracts around three million viewers – although at its peak it could boast audiences of more than 18 million.

The final run will feature Peter Sallis as Clegg alongside s Russ Abbott as Hobbo and Brian Murphy as Alvin.

Cheryl Taylor, controller of comedy commissioning, said the decision to end the show was ‘very tough’.

She added: ‘It is a testimony to the wit and warmth of the characters that Roy Clarke originally created that this amazing series has endured over several decades.

‘We very much respect the affection in which it is held. It is very tough to have to call time on such a cherished institution but we are very sincere in our gratitude for, and admiration of Last Of The Summer Wine. It is the undisputed champion of long-running comedy series.’

The show has outlasted many of its most famous cast members. Bill Owen, who played Compo, died in 1999; while Brian Wilde who played Foggy and Kathy Staff, aka Nora Batty, both died in 2008.

Special editions of Countryfile and Songs Of Praise will be broadcast from Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, where the sitcom is filmed, to mark the end of the show,

Published: 2 Jun 2010