Dawn French reprised her role as Geraldine Granger as she joined co-star James Fleet in a first look image at Christmas special, The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown.
Comedian Dawn, 63, looked delighted as she took her seat on the sofa in Geraldine’s cosy living room on to deliver a virtual sermon to the people of the Parish of Dibley.
She was joined by James, 68, who plays the hapless Hugo Horton in the series, with the star looking dapper in a shirt, jumper and tie as he smiled alongside his friend.
Christmas specials: Dawn French reprised her role as Geraldine Granger as she joined co-star James Fleet in a first look image at Christmas special, The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the vicar will explain the difference between metres and miles when it comes to social distancing in her first sermon – with the show set to air three 10 minute episodes over the festive season.
Later in lockdown, Geraldine is seen having a haircut disaster as a friend, who is more used to working with animals, cuts her tresses.
She also shares times with some of the children at the local primary school.
Hugo joins Geraldine for the last sermon, where he reveals he is finding it difficult to listen to his father, Parish Council Chairman David Horton, tell the same anecdotes through lockdown over and over again.
It’s back!While The Vicar of Dibley originally aired from 1994 to 1998, the series returned for various specials before officially concluding in 2007, but has briefly headed back to screens for various shorts in aid of Comic Relief (star Dawn French with the original cast)
Ahead of the shows, Dawn French said: ‘Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn’t be happier. Bless you.’
Writer Richard Curtis added: ‘ 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.’
The three 10 minute episodes will air weekly, with a 30 minute compilation episode of all three sermons airing later over Christmas.
While The Vicar of Dibley originally aired from 1994 to 1998, the series returned for various specials before officially concluding in 2007, but has briefly headed back to screens for various shorts in aid of Comic Relief.
Throughout lockdown, Geraldine has been writing and delivering monthly sermons over Zoom, offering her musings on life, faith and of course chocolate.
The specials will air after repeats of some of the series’ most iconic episodes over the festive period, with the entire series also set to be available on BBC iPlayer.
Back on air! Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the vicar will explain the difference between metres and miles when it comes to social distancing in her first sermon
Fun: The specials will air after repeats of some of the series’ most iconic episodes over the festive period, with the entire series also set to be available on BBC iPlayer
Despite the death of star Emma Chambers in 2018, Alice will still play a pivotal role in the specials, with some residents still battling the arrival of decimalisation.
Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning for the BBC says: ‘This triple festive treat from the nations favourite fun-loving vicar is the warm comedy hug we’ve all missed.’
Hilarious: The Vicar of Dibley is no stranger to the festive period, with one of the most iconic episodes seeing Geraldine attempt to eat her way through three Christmas dinners
Throwback: The series came to a conclusion in 2007 when Geraldine tied the knot, but has since returned for several shorts in aid of Comic Relief
The Vicar of Dibley first arrived on screens in 1994, when Reverend Geraldine Granger became the vicar for the small English village of Dibley, after changes in the Church of England permitted the ordination of women.
Emma starred as Geraldine’s sweet but hapless best friend Alice Horton, alongside Gary Waldhorn as Councillor David Horton and Roger Lloyd-Pack as farmer Owen Newitt.
The original series concluded in 1998, with one of its most memorable episodes seeing Geraldine struggle to eat her way through three Christmas lunches.
In 1999 the series continued with four festive episodes, and two more in 2004 and 2005.
The Vicar of Dibley then came to an end in 2007, when Granger married the handsome accountant Harry Kennedy (played by Richard Armitage), but has since returned for several shorts in aid of Comic Relief.
In April Dawn also reprised her role as Geraldine for BBC’s Big Night In, to raise funds for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown starts on BBC One on the 7th December at 8:50pm, following a repeat of a classic episode of The Vicar of Dibley.
Fun: Earlier this year Dawn also reprised her role as Geraldine as part of BBC’s Big Night In to raise funds for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic