James R | On 17, Nov 2020

The Vicar of Dibley will return to BBC One this Christmas for a trio of lockdown specials.

During lockdown, post lockdown and pre-another-lockdown, Geraldine has been writing and delivering monthly sermons to her parishioners via Zoom – when she can make it work. These new thoughts on life (and chocolate) will air after repeat showings of classic episodes of The Vicar of Dibley on BBC One.

Geraldine will be helped by Hugo Horton (James Fleet) as well some of the local primary school children as the Vicar discusses all the important topics, including how it’s never a good idea to let Owen Newitt cut your hair, or make home-made wine. The very dearly departed Alice Tinker is also still an important presence in the village, with some residents still looking for lost buttons and the arrival of decimalisation.

The three 10-minute episodes will air weekly, with a half-hour compilation episode of all three sermons airing later over Christmas.

The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown is made by Tiger Aspect Productions Limited (a Banijay UK company), and written, as ever, by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, and produced by Jon Plowman.

French says: “Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn’t be happier. Bless you.”

Curtis adds: “Like every village in the country, there’s been a lot happening in Dibley this year – and Dawn has got a lot to say about it.”

Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning for the BBC, comments: “This triple festive treat from the nations favourite fun-loving vicar is the warm comedy hug we’ve all missed.”

The new specials will join all three seasons of The Vicar of Dibley and specials on BBC iPlayer.

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