British Comedy Guide

One Foot In The Grave's Victor Meldrew to return

Sunday 17th April 2016, 9:42am

One Foot In The Grave. Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC
  • Richard Wilson is to revive his famous One Foot In The Grave character Victor Meldrew
  • The actor will appear as the character as part of his one-man show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
  • Tickets for the two-week run in August will go on sale next month

Richard Wilson is to revive his famous One Foot In The Grave character Victor Meldrew as part of a live show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The character, whose exclamations of "I don't believe it!" have become known as one of British comedy's most famous catchphrases, was last seen on television 15 years ago.

Over 12 million viewers watched the final episode of One Foot In The Grave in November 2000, in which Victor was hit by a car and killed. However, the character did return for a special sketch as part of Comic Relief 2001. In 2004, One Foot In The Grave was voted one of Britain's top ten sitcoms of all time.

Now actor Richard Wilson has confirmed the character will return as part of his one-man show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. The actor will perform a script from the hit sitcom on stage before taking questions from the audience.

The star has been encouraged to return to the character following the response of a one-off performance in Sheffield last year. Speaking to Scotland On Sunday today, the actor explained: "I played Victor in the first half, using one of David Renwick's scripts, then did a question and answer session as myself in the second. I can't tell you how much the audience loved it. I had such a good time we decided to take it to Edinburgh. I loved doing it, so I guess I must miss acting."

The new show will run from the 16th to 28th August in Edinburgh at the Assembly Roxy Central venue. Tickets are expected to go on sale in May.

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