But without Nurse Gladys Emmanuel

BBC One has commissioned a third series of Still Open All Hours – but without Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel.

The actress will not be returning to the role which she first played in  1976, saying: ‘It just isn't possible to fit it in with my schedule.

‘I was thrilled by the huge success of Still Open All Hours and was very happy to be a part of it. I am disappointed not least because it is beyond doubt the nicest cast and crew a girl could wish for.  There are as many laughs off the set as there are on.  Long may they stay Open All Hours.’

Baron appeared in EastEnders earlier this year, playing  Jane Beale's mum Linda Clarke, and will be returning to the soap for a Beale family storyline.

The last series oStill Open All Hour of Still Open All Hours was the highest rated comedy series of the past 12 months.

Location filming will begin on the new episodes, inlcuding a Christmas special, soon, with studio filming to follow from October.

Sir David Jason, who plays Granville, said: ‘I can’t wait for viewers to see the scrapes Granville gets into this series, almost as much as I can’t wait to start filming them. 

‘Roy Clarke has once again written seven fantastically warm, funny and inventive scripts, full of the humour and eccentric characters that the nation has come to love over the years.

The series opens with a Christmas special where Granville and Gastric (Tim Healy) find themselves playing marriage counsellors. Regulars James Baxter, Stephanie Cole, Sally Lindsay,  Maggie Ollerenshaw, Johnny Vegas, Kulvinder Ghir, Brigit Forsyth, Nina Wadia and Geoffrey Whitehead all return.

Executive producer Gareth Edwards said: ‘I continue to be bowled over by the incredible audience response to Still Open All Hours, so it’s a real pleasure to welcome the series back to BBC One.’

The new commission, from BBC comedy chief Shane Allen, follows the Landmark Sitcom season that revisited other classics such as Are You Being Served?, Porridge, Goodnight Sweetheart and Keeping Up Appearances.

Still Open All Hours is produced by Alex Walsh-Taylor for BBC Studios and directed by Dewi Humphreys.

Published: 12 Sep 2016