...or even as a stage panto

The Fast Show could return to TV – or even the live stage – following their reunion on the internet.

A new series of sketches from the team, including Caroline Aherne, goes online from next week, with 12 seven-minute episodes funded by sponsors Foster’s.

And that could pave the way for a return to TV screens after a 12-year absence.

‘Foster’s approached us out of the blue,’ co-creator Charlie Higson said at the launch of the new web series. ‘We weren’t touting it around TV stations.

‘If it’s well-received, that gives you the optimism and energy to do more. So if TV companies now want to approach as and say "Can we do something more?" then we probably will.’

His co-star Paul Whitehouse had one idea, inspired by a scene in the new episodes where they mock Downton Abbey.

‘We’d quite like to do an hour-long Downton using all Fast Show characters,’ he said.

Higson added: ‘Paul was joking, but we might do that.’

The team might also make a reunion on stage – in a pantomime.

John Thomson said: ‘Myself and Simon [Day] are working on a project at the moment, and I’ve mentioned it to Paul and Charlie, and that’s the possibility of doing a Fast Show panto.

‘A Fast Show panto would be great - though we wouldn’t do it twice daily, I’ve been through that.’

Click here for the full cast interview. The new series launches next Thursday on FostersFunny.co.uk.

Published: 3 Nov 2011