Give a welcome back to the Summer Wine!

Mar 1 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FANS of Last of the Summer Wine are getting ready to welcome a new series of the show.

The world's longest-running TV comedy hits BBC screens on Sunday, March 13. And viewers are in for a treat, says Clive Eardley, president of the Summer Wine Appreciation Society.

He said: "All the stops have been pulled out this year to give the viewers one of the freshest, vibrant and funny series for years, in my opinion."

The 10-part series centred on Holmfirth kicks off with comedian Bobby Ball in The Swan Man of Ilkley.

Appearing in later programmes will be 1960s pop singer Jess Conrad and former Coronation Street star Roy Barraclough.

But viewers won't be seeing as much of Peter Sallis, who plays Cleggy. He is in every episode, but at the age of 84 was not quite as actively involved in the filming process this time.

Mr Eardley, from Normanton, reckons it's a vintage year for the show.

"Without giving too much away each of the stories have some very funny visual comedy elements. The guest stars bring a special zing that makes each one of them very special," he said.

Josephine Tewson appears in every episode as the librarian and new friend of Marina. The actress found fame as Mrs Bucket's over-anxious neighbour Elizabeth in the comedy sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

Newcomer Louis Emmerick joins the cast as the second policeman alongside Ken Kitson, following the death of Tony Capstick.