British Comedy Guide
Last Tango In Halifax. Image shows from L to R: Caroline (Sarah Lancashire), Celia (Anne Reid), Alan (Derek Jacobi), Gillian (Nicola Walker). Copyright: Red Production Company
Last Tango In Halifax

Last Tango In Halifax

  • TV comedy drama
  • BBC One
  • 2012 - 2020
  • 24 episodes (5 series)

Romantic comedy drama about would-be childhood sweethearts who are reunited after 60 years. Stars Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker, Tony Gardner and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2

Celia and Alan decide to buy an extravagant sports car instead of an engagement ring. They throw an engagement party at the farm, which descends into chaos for both families.

Preview clips

Further details

Last Tango In Halifax. Image shows from L to R: John (Tony Gardner), Celia (Anne Reid). Copyright: Red Production Company

Continuing with their untraditional approach, Celia and Alan buy an expensive convertible car instead of an engagement ring before throwing an engagement party for their families at the farm.

During the party, Alan explains that it was because of a message not being passed on sixty years ago that they never ended up together then, but Gillian is surprised to hear who stood in their way.

Caroline and Gillian manage to apologise to each other for their behaviour when they first met, and both of them happily accept that Celia and Alan are perfectly serious about getting married.

Caroline makes mincemeat of Michael Dobson when he tries to blackmail her, but it's clear she's very uneasy about anyone knowing about her relationship with Kate. William discovers his dad and Judith drunk together in the house when he comes home from school early one day. John and Caroline appear to be back on track, but when William reveals what he's seen, Caroline is appalled, and abandons John at the farm following the engagement party and tells him not to come back.

Gillian is worried that Robbie will tell Raff the truth about his dad's death, and so pre-empts Robbie by telling Raff herself: Eddie committed suicide. Despite Gillian's candid confession, we still suspect she's keeping something from Raff. During the engagement party Raff is arrested by his Uncle Robbie for beating up Paul Jatri and Gillian's terrified that it'll emerge that she's been sleeping with the 22-year-old.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 27th November 2012
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Derek Jacobi Alan
Anne Reid Celia
Sarah Lancashire Caroline
Nicola Walker Gillian
Tony Gardner John
Ronni Ancona Judith
Dean Andrews Robbie
Josh Bolt Raff
Edward Ashley William
Louis Greatorex Lawrence
Nina Sosanya Kate
Sacha Dhawan Paul
Guest cast
Meriel Scholfield Beverley (Caroline's Secretary)
Matt Stokoe Michael
Danny Cunningham Salesman
Writing team
Sally Wainwright Writer
Emily Feller Script Editor
Kam Odedra Script Editor
Production team
Euros Lyn Director
Karen Lewis Producer
Nicola Shindler Executive Producer
Matthew Read Executive Producer
Sally Wainwright Executive Producer
Crispin Green Editor
Luana Hanson Production Designer
Murray Gold Composer

Video

It's a bumpy drive!

Caroline is driving the family to Alan and Gillian's farmhouse for Alan and Celia's engagement party.
Lawrence needs to go to the loo and William feels sick.

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