The show must go on - so Nora Batty stays

Jan 25 2000 By KAREN GRATTAGE

HOLMFIRTH-BASED TV comedy The Last of the Summer Wine is to carry on - despite speculation that the long-running programme would end.

Actress Kathy Staff has pledged to go on playing Nora Batty, despite her earlier decision to quit the show.

A series which will go out in April has already been filmed but it was thought this could be the end of the popular show.

Now it has been confirmed that television cameras are set to return to Holmfirth in June to start work for a series which will go out next year.

BBC bosses have set up an office to plan the new episodes, which will see Nora continuing life in the village after the death of comic romeo Compo.

Kathy Staff announced that she was leaving the series at last month's BBC tribute to actor Bill Owen, who played the lovable rogue for 28 years before he died last July.

But Summer Wine writer Roy Clarke, currently preparing the new episodes, said: "Everyone, including Nora, has decided to give it a shot to prove there is life after Compo.

"It's what Bill would have wanted.

"It wouldn't be the same without Nora's wrinkled stockings and ancient hats.

"Like poor Bill she has become a national treasure - and we've persuaded her to stay."

Final touches are being put to the latest series, which will feature Bill Owen in its first three episodes.

It is set to cover the period of Compo's sudden death and the arrival of his long-lost offspring, played by real-life son Tom Owen.

Cast members are said to be looking forward to filming the following episodes, which has been given the go-ahead subject to a final BBC budget meeting in March.