Christmas special shelved over script delay

The Royle Family Christmas special has been shelved, because Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash couldn’t finish writing it in time.

Stars including Sue Johnson and Ricky Tomlinson have reportedly been told they won’t now be needed for recording as the pair, who play Denise and Dave, didn’t deliver the script to schedule.

BBC One bosses are said to be ‘really disappointed’ at the delay, after last year’s Christmas Day special attracted 9.9million viewers.

They will now concentrate on writing a show for Christmas 2012, The Sun reports.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We will all miss The Royle Family this Christmas but look forward all the more to their next outing on BBC One.’

The channel will be airing a return of Ab Fab and a new Michael McIntyre show over the festive period.

Published: 5 Nov 2011