Sir David Jason reprising iconic role for new, feature-length episode of Open All Hours - when you can watch

Comedy fans have had some lovely jubbly news - Sir David Jason is reprising an iconic role for a new, feature-length episode of one of his most beloved shows. The 86-year-old has confirmed he will be back behind the counter as Granville in a new, feature-length special of iconic comedy Open All Hours - marking 50 years of the popular show.

Sir David will return as the cheeky shop hand he first played in 1976 in one-off U&Gold production, Open All Hours: Inside Out, which is being described as a final farewell to the character.

The actor - also known for portraying Peckham's finest dodgy trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses - will be seen as Granville as he closes up the shop for the night, “offering a touching glimpse into how his life has moved on since we last saw him”.

When asked if he had any reservations about reprising the role, Sir David said: “No, I don’t think I did. I think revisiting Open All Hours was something that we all looked forward to. We would look forward to if it was to go again, because it was just so much fun to do and so much fun to be entertaining the audience, which after all first love of acting."

Open All Hours first hit screens in 1973 as a one-off for the BBC. Three years later, a full series aired, starring the late Ronnie Barker as shopkeeper Albert Arkwright. A then little-known Sir David became a fan favourite as Arkwright's nephew and lackey, Granville, as the show ran for nine more years, with the final episode airing in 1985.

However, the shop returned nearly 30 years later, with Sir David taking the lead in Still Open All Hours, which ran from 2013 to 2019.

Show creator Roy Clarke wrote the eagerly anticipated final scene which will see Sir David return, while the anniversary special will also take a look back across all 67 episodes, from the original pilot right through to the final outing in 2019.

Classic clips, unseen outtakes and behind-the-scenes moments are anticipated, along with interviews from a starry line-up including Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Maggie Ollerenshaw, Kulvinder Ghir, Barbara Flynn, James Baxter, Nina Wadia and Ronnie Barker’s daughter, Charlotte Barker.

Announcing the show, Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor, said: “I can’t wait for U&Gold audiences to see what we have cooked up for them. Open All Hours is one of those rare beasts that even after 50 years is still as timeless and relevant as ever.”

Open All Hours: Inside Out will hit screens on U&Gold on May 7.