Catherine Tate's Nan to return for new TV specials
Catherine Tate is to return as her foul-mouthed OAP character Nan.
Although few other details are known about the new TV episodes, it has been confirmed she is set to record "two exciting new specials" in London this June, for broadcast on BBC One in 2016.
The BBC's Shane Allen said: "Nan is one of the most iconic comedy characters of our time and it's thrilling to welcome her back to BBC One. Catherine's performance is as close to comic perfection as you can get."
The character of Nan - whose real name is Joannie Taylor - first appeared in February 2004 as one of the characters in The Catherine Tate Show.
Proving to be very popular with audiences, the Cockney pensioner went on to be the central character in Tate's 2009 Christmas Day special, Nan's Christmas Carol.
Tate subsequently make cameo appearances as the character in various other shows, including filming charity sketches for Comic Relief, Sport Relief and Children In Need.
Most notably, the BBC broadcast a sitcom pilot based around Tate's character in January 2014, under the title Catherine Tate's Nan. The show, which was seen by 4.3 million viewers, saw the rude grandmother paired up with school girl Alice (played by Ami Metcalf) via the 'Young and Old Buddy-Up Foundation'. The pilot, which also featured Tate's long-term collaborators Mathew Horne (appearing as Nan's grandson Jamie) and Niky Wardley (as the officious Miss Donelly), observed as the central character caused havoc for the local council and hospital.
Speaking this week, the BBC confirmed: "Following the successful BAFTA nominated one-off special which was broadcast on BBC One in 2014, Catherine Tate is bringing Britain's best-loved O.A.P back to screens for two further half hour episodes, to be filmed later this year for broadcast in 2016."
Details on the premise of the new episodes are expected to be revealed at a later date. Tate will film the shows at The London Studios on the 12th and 19th June, with each episode due to be record twice. To apply to be in the audience see our free tickets page
The new specials will again be written by Catherine Tate, Brett Goldstein and Dan Swimer, and directed by Geoff Posner.
It has been known for a while that the BBC has been keen to develop a studio audience-based sitcom around the character. The network has been looking to find a show to compliment Mrs Brown's Boys, which is currently confined to only being Christmas specials due to the cast's other commitments.
Tate last appeared as Nan earlier this year, appearing on Michael McIntyre's Easter Night At The Coliseum.
Tate has previously admitted her mother is not a fan of the character because she is concerned people will think Joannie is based on her, and thus presume that she swears too much too. The comedy star told The Sun: "My mum complains that I swear too much, but I try to use swearing as a condiment rather than the meat and potatoes. My mum would prefer me in court shoes and nice lipstick. She thinks all actresses should follow Joan Collins and always be glamorous. Unfortunately, the path I'm walking down doesn't allow that."
In the below video, taken from the 2014 pilot, Nan is verbally abusive to a large man at the council's offices:
And here is Nan on Michael McIntyre's Easter Night At The Coliseum:
This story was updated on the 20th May to include Shane Allen's quote and that the programmes will be broadcast in 2016.