Dawn French revives her character for Big Night In

Dawn French is to revive the Vicar Of Dibley for the BBC’s Big Night In lockdown extravaganza this week.

The comic will deliver a message of hope in the guise of the Rev Geraldine Kennedy – nee Granger ­­– as part of the celebratory three-hour telethon.

Viewers last saw her character on screen for a 2015  Comic Relief special, where she was offered the chance to rise in the ranks and become a bishop.

But this will be the first time Geraldine has appeared on screen since Emma Chambers, who portrayed the dim but lovable Alice Tinker, died in 2018 at the age of 53.

French said: ‘I’m back in the dog collar, back in the vicarage and back on your telly. Be there or go to hell. Literally I have some sway.’

A spokeswoman for the BBC added: 'Until recently the Vicar of Dibley was self-isolating in the confectionary aisle of her local supermarket. But she is now back in her vicarage, from where, on April 23, she will deliver a message of hope.'

An exclusive first look of the new sketch will be shown on The One Show on Monday.

Further details have also emerged about Peter Kay’s role in the show, which will mark his first TV appearance in more than two years. The comic will inviting the public to perform a new version of Tony Christie’s (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, which he has already made his own.

Meanwhile, Catherine Tate will recreate her role as schoolgirl Lauren terrorising a supply teacher played by David Tennant, and Matt Lucas and David Walliams will as-yet unconfirmed characters from Little Britain.

The show, which kicks off at 7pm, will be raising money for Comic Relief and Children In Need, with the Government pledging to match the total raised by viewers.

It will be presented by Matt Baker, Zoe Ball, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Paddy McGuinness.

Published: 18 Apr 2020