Shuttleworth revived after quick retirement

John Shuttleworth creator Graham Fellows is reviving his most famous character - less than two years after pensioning him off.

Fellows today announced a new radio series and a 38-date national tour for his keyboard-playing former security guard.

Yet in 2001, he told Chortle he was retiring Shuttleworth because the character was becoming too close to his own life.

"Now my interest lies elsewhere," he said at the time. "He may resurface in a few years, perhaps as a grandfather."

But a fourth series of The Shuttleworths airs from February 13, and he kicks off a new tour - entitled Pillock Of The Community ­ in Glasgow on April 1. Click here for dates.

Fellows will be reprising his rock and roll anorak, Brian Appleton, for the tour and introducing a new character, self-made businessman Dave Tordoff.

Later in the year, Fellows is appearing in David Thewlis's new movie Cheeky, alongside Johnny Vegas, and ITV's new children's TV drama series Dangerville as Major Crunkhorn.

John's Gone: Graham Fellows interview from March 2001

Published: 7 Jan 2003