British Comedy Guide
The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions
The Vicar Of Dibley

The Vicar Of Dibley

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1994 - 2020
  • 20 episodes (3 series)

Comedy about a small, backward rural village and its female vicar, Geraldine Grainger. Stars Dawn French, Emma Chambers, Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet, John Bluthal and more.

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Episode menu

2004/2005 Specials - Happy New Year

Geraldine's 40th birthday is approaching, and she's determined that she doesn't want any celebration. Her friends, however, are determined to make the occasion somehow, and detecting how lonely she appears at times, contribute £1.50 each for a ticket to a speed-dating evening...

Further details

Geraldine tells the villagers that she wants to support the Make Poverty History campaign by having them all write letters to the Prime Minister. This leads onto a discussion about who the Prime Minister is - Frank, Owen, Jim and Hugo are stunned and confused by the notion that Margaret Thatcher is no longer in Number 10.

Meanwhile, it's Geraldine's birthday and, despite her protesting against their celebrating her 40th, the villagers are determined to plan a nice surprise for her. Their bright idea is to buy her a ticket for a (very cheap) speed-dating event. Upon arrival, Geraldine is told that there's a real shortage of men, but she finds that she's in competition with a blonde bimbo, which, unfortunately, her desired man wants instead of her: the other men there are all the men of Dibley!

Sensing her disappointment and frustration at the evening's turnout, the villagers are soon knocking on the vicarage door to offer support: Alice and Hugo arrive, suggesting his 'services' to impregnate her. After all, if she can't get a boyfriend, she can at least get a baby - right? And, just in case she doesn't fancy Hugo, Frank, Owen and Jim are soon at the door offering themselves as reserve options, all dressed in kilts to mimic her great love, Mel Gibson. Surprisingly, she's not too keen to take up their kind offer! She does, however, have a video she'd like to show them on the internet.

Notes

This episode was broadcast without credits, instead promoting the Make Poverty History campaign.

Broadcast details

Date
Saturday 1st January 2005
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
40 minutes

Upcoming repeats

  1. Wednesday 27th November 2024 at 8:00pm on U&Gold
  2. Thursday 28th November 2024 at 12:20am on U&Gold
  3. Thursday 28th November 2024 at 2:00pm on U&Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
Dawn French Geraldine Grainger
Emma Chambers Alice Tinker
Gary Waldhorn David Horton
James Fleet Hugo Horton
John Bluthal Frank Pickle
Trevor Peacock Jim Trott
Roger Lloyd Pack Owen Newitt
Guest cast
Miranda Hart Suzie
Nathalie Cox Hettie
Cristian Solimeno Steve
Geraldine McNulty Voice on Radio (Voice)
Writing team
Richard Curtis Writer
Paul Mayhew-Archer Writer
Emma Freud Script Editor
Production team
Martin Dennis Director
Richard Curtis Executive Producer
Peter Bennett-Jones Executive Producer
Philippa Catt Producer
Jon Plowman Executive Producer
Andrew Howe-Davies Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer

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