Iconic BBC comedy set to return for 30th anniversary – but there's a huge change
Creators Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson are bringing back The Fast Show for its 30th anniversary.
The iconic BBC sketch show will revive some of their most famous characters and catchphrases, including "Suit you, sir!". Paul and Charlie will be joined by a host of original cast members including Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson and Arabella Weir.
However, instead of reviving the show as a new BBC series, the cast will be heading on a 14-night tour. In a recent interview, Charlie, 65, said: “We’ve had some ideas about using the characters in another format, like the Carry On films, or even a panto, so this tour is just to test the waters.
“But it’s been 20 years since we last did anything on stage and thankfully we all still get along, probably because we’ve allowed each other to do other things outside of The Fast Show. Sleep with other people and the marriage stays strong.”
The Fast Show ran from 1994 to 1997 with specials in 2000 and 2014. It featured more than 80 different characters who made more than one appearance, with the majority of them featuring on two huge live tours.
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Creators Charlie and Paul are reviving beloved characters (BBC)
A-list stars such as Johnny Depp appeared in the original series (Press Association)Some of the BBC sketch show's iconic characters include posh Ted and estate worker Ralph, football pundit Ron Manager, sex-obsessed car dealer Swiss Toni, Johnny Nice Painter, country bumpkin Jesse, Professor Denzil Dexter and the “does my bum look big in this” Insecure Woman. Last year, the 1996 festive special aired on Christmas Day on BBC Two and was still deemed a huge hit.
Charlie and Paul recently came together again for a charity gig in aid of ex-Fast Show cast member Felix Dexter. The creators brought back coughing country expert Bob Fleming, Jed “Arse” Thomas and hiccupping Murtagh Blethyn in a folk singalong.
Charlie told The Sun: “I posted a thing on X ( Twitter ) saying the old team are back together and there was a massive response as people assumed The Fast Show was back and we’re going to do a DVD and live tour. So I had to say, ‘No, it’s just for a one-off charity event’.
“But we thought, OK, people are interested, and Paul and I have been talking about doing something live for a long while but never had the time where we’re available to do it. That was a spur to say, ‘Let’s do this’.”
Paul added: “It will be great fun, we just need to get it wrapped up before we all peg it.” The Fast Show was famous for showing off the best in British talent such as the late Caroline Aherne while also featuring A-list stars including Johnny Depp, Robbie Williams and Amy Winehouse.
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