Murder On The Blackpool Express to return
- Hit comedy drama Murder On The Blackpool Express is set to return to TV
- British Comedy Guide understands that Jason Cook has written another story
- Filming appears to have already started, with Johnny Vegas seen wearing his character's costume
British Comedy Guide understands that Murder On The Blackpool Express, a hit comedy drama set around a coach trip, is to return.
The re-commission has yet to be officially announced by TV channel Gold, but BCG believes that writer Jason Cook has completed writing another story and that the show's return will be announced shortly by the UKTV network.
A single first episode of the murder mystery comedy was broadcast in November 2017.
It followed the story of Terry, a despondent coach driver, played by Johnny Vegas. Stuck in a rut, he has no goals or passions apart from an unrequited love interest in tour organiser Gemma (played Sian Gibson).
The one-off two hour special saw Terry and Gemma driving fans of a pompous author on a literary tour. However, one by one, the passengers are killed in suspicious circumstances, resulting in the duo having to turn detectives to discover who the murderer is.
It is as yet unknown whether the comedy's return will be for a series or another single special, nor whether it will retain the same title. The new creation would likely feature a different cast - aside from Vegas and Gibson - as the special saw many of the characters killed off by the mystery murderer.
Filming appears to have commenced already, evidenced by a social media post made on Wednesday. Star Johnny Vegas, discussing weight loss and a new diet with his Twitter followers, explained that he has been "busy of late". An accompanying photograph shows him wearing his costume from the first episode, the uniform of Draper's coach company.
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The original Murder On The Blackpool Express, which was broadcast as Kenneth Brannagh's Murder On The Orient Express film opened in cinemas, featured a notably star-filled line-up.
The cast list included Griff Rhys Jones, Mark Heap, Nina Wadia, Kimberley Nixon, Nigel Havers, Kevin Eldon and Una Stubbs.
That stand-up comedian and writer Jason Cook - who previously created BBC Two sitcom Hebburn - has been given the green light to return to the comedy will come as no surprise, with the special proving a huge hit for Gold. Attracting nearly 2 million viewers in the week it was broadcast, it instantly become the channel's highest ever rated show.
An official announcement about the recommission is expected to be made shortly.