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 3

There's plenty of turbulence both in Halifax, when the lecherous Paul is beaten up on multiple occasions; and in Harrogate, where John is determined not to be walked over. Meanwhile, Celia and Alan spend the night together.

Preview clips

Further details

Last Tango In Halifax. Image shows from L to R: Paul (Sacha Dhawan), Gillian (Nicola Walker). Copyright: Red Production Company

Celia and Alan discover that they have wildly opposing political views, and whilst Alan dislikes organised religion, he agrees to get married in church if it's what Celia wants.

However, the vicar has other ideas when she learns that neither of them has attended church since 1977. Unperturbed, they decide to have a civil ceremony at Southowram Hall, an ancient creepy Medieval Hall above Halifax. A storm is brewing as they visit the hall, and as Alan tells Celia about a ghost in one of the bedrooms, the lights go out, and they find themselves locked in the ancient building.

Having been abandoned at Far Slack, Gillian tells John he needs to stick up for himself more; half the house is his. He returns to Harrogate and tells Caroline he's moving back in whether she likes it or not. Driven up the wall, Caroline rings Kate, and apologises to her, she was right all along, Caroline's spent the best years of her life married to a jerk and fuelled by this realisation she and John have a spectacular row. Meanwhile, at school one of William's mates points out to him that his mum is a lesbian.

Raff is cautioned by the police for attacking Paul Jatri, and later Paul confirms to Gillian that the incident was over her; he told Raff he was sleeping with her. Gillian's appalled when Raff moves out of the farm and in with Robbie. John - who is developing a crush on Gillian - becomes an unlikely support to her when she rings him up needing someone to talk to. Later Paul Jatri is beaten up a second time, this time by his fiancée's brothers and ends up in a terrible state. Hardly able to walk or talk he now becomes Gillian's problem.

The episode ends in a thunderstorm with Gillian's car suddenly, inexplicably bursting into flames.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 4th December 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
Anne Hornby Vicar
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

Celia confides in her daughter Caroline

Celia announces to Caroline her trip to Halifax with Alan to look at wedding venues.
In a cringe-worthy moment for Caroline, Celia 'lets slip' that they shared a bed last night.

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