U&Gold is heading back to Yorkshire for The Last Drop of Summer Wine, an exploration of Sir Roy Clarke’s classic series and the longest-running TV sitcom in the world, Last of the Summer Wine, which aired for an incredible 37-year run from 1973-2010.
Actor and comedian Brian Conley will narrate, taking viewers on a jaunt to Holmfirth and the heart of Summer Wine country to revisit the locations that became a worldwide tourist attraction thanks to the adventures of Compo, Foggy, Clegg and co, and meet the families of cast members, local residents and friends of the show.
Phil McIntyre Television, the TV production arm of the empire of entertainment mogul Phil McIntyre – who started out as a rock’n’roll promoter working with the likes of The Smiths and New Order before also conquering the worlds of live comedy, musicals feature films and TV – will produce the 1 x 120-minute The Last Drop of Summer Wine. PMTV previously collaborated with the broadcaster on Victoria Wood doc Becoming Victoria Wood.
READ MORE: Bauer Media Audio bags Fire TV Channels UK launch slot
The show’s creator and writer Roy Clarke has also created a selection of written reflections exclusively for the show, offering a personal response to the characters, places and enduring legacy of Last of the Summer Wine. The doc will also feature unseen photos, scripts and scrapbooks from his personal archives.
Conley, who guest starred in the show in 2008, said: “I am delighted to be hosting this look back at the longest running TV sitcom in the world.
“Getting the chance to share all the amazing stories, the fun, the laughter, and above all the love, was a real honour.”
Clarke, who wrote all 295 episodes of the series between 1973 and 2010, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work on this one. We’ve squeezed all the juice that we can with love and affection. I’ve enjoyed this wander down Memory Lane as I hope the viewers will.”
The Last Drop of Summer Wine is commissioned for UKTV by Jason Dawson, commissioning executive, and ordered by Emma Tibbetts, director of programming, scripted, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The producer is Phil Mcinyre Television, with Lindsay Jex as producer, Adele Fowler as talent producer and Lucy Ansbro as executive producer.
Producer Jex said: “It’s been a real treat to make this film. Not only having the opportunity to work with Sir Roy Clarke, but spending time with the local community of Holmfirth, together with family and friends of the show’s cast and crew who have very kindly gone into their lofts and garages to dig out a treasure trove of family photos, scripts, props & behind-the-scenes footage.”
Image: Elliot Simpson/Geograph/Creative Commons
