Hebburn

Hebburn returns for fundraiser

Axed BBC Two sitcom Hebburn made a brief return at a charity show on Tyneside tonight. Stars of the North East series, including Hebburn creator Jason Cook, Chris Ramsey and Steffen Peddie, featured in two playful sketches about the show's demise to raise funds for The Customs House theatre in South Shields.

For the Hebburn special we join the Pearsons as they anticipate the arrival of Sarah (Kimbereley Nixon), Jack (Chris Ramsay) and their baby AJ as they're flying back from Switzerland. Unfortunately they fail to arrive back before the arrival of Sarah's parents and her grandmother Millie (Miriam Margolyes). The arrival of another old woman in a wheelchair means there's soon a showdown between Millie and Jack's grandmother Dot (Pat Dunn).

Upon arriving home it appears that both Jack and Sarah are enjoying their new life in Switzerland, but secretly they both confess that they hate being separated for so long. Elsewhere Gervaise (Neil Grainger) is soon trying to win back Vicki (Lisa McGrillis) and makes the ultimate gesture to her towards the end of the episode. Soon, Pauline (Gina McKee) finds herself celebrating a non-denominational winter festival when Sarah's Jewish parents are forced to stay after their car is stolen.

One of my most usual complaints about TV shows is that they drag on, but for me this special of Hebburn could've done with being about fifteen minutes longer. The fact that there was so much story to tell meant that some pivotal moments were lost in the shuffle among Joe's insistence that everyone wear hats and Margolyes and Dunn stealing the show as the warring grannies. Despite this, I still love Hebburn and think that this Christmas special was still incredibly funny with characters that I still care about. I hope that BBC2 do the right thing and give this superb sitcom a third series as it more than deserves one.

Hebburn: A good room

I could not let 2013 pass without a special mention for my comedy of the year - Hebburn.

While most of the Hebburnites are lovable, Jack and his jumped-up attitude continues to grate, so it's satisfying to see him get busted by Sarah, who discovers his pregnancy book's been serialised in The Observer. That's the least of their worries when Sarah goes into labour, leaving plenty of room for sentimentality but little for laughs. Sister Vicki is on form, though, dumping Gervaise and explaining why Jack couldn't resist posh Sarah. "I remember him saying it's like putting your Aldi shopping in a Marks's bag," she sighs.

Why you should watch Jason Cook's BBC2 sitcom

With honest reactions and appealing TV characters, you shouldn't miss out on Jason Cook's fabulous BBC Two comedy Hebburn.

Radio Times review

Bustling Denise is off to a training weekend, leaving husband Joe and granny Dot home alone. The pair are under strict instructions not to set foot in the sanctified "Good Room" but, of course, the temptation proves overwhelming. Soon the pair are enjoying the delights of this forbidden place, but the arrival of Dot's persistent and embarrassingly inappropriate suitor Arthur (played by the wonderful John Woodvine) brings only destruction. As for expectant parents Jack and Sarah (Chris Ramsey and Kimberley Nixon), they are suffering the petty humiliations of an antenatal class.

Hebburn and its ramshackle cast of cheerful Geordies are sweet and have a certain charm. But the humour is so low-key it's barely audible.

Chris Ramsey interview

The stand-up and Hebburn actor talks failed one-liners, being thrown off TV and his tidying fetish.

Gina McKee interview

Hebburn star Gina McKee, 49, talks punk clothing, 25 years of marriage and the striking contrast between her childhood and a life on stage.