BBC denies sitcom is cancelled

The BBC has denied that Last Of The Summer Wine is to end – despite the claims of its producer.

Alan Bell told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner that the world's long-running sitcom would be ending after 35 years.

Speaking is comments after the death of Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty, Mr Bell said: ‘We accept there are no promises made but the new shows we have just completed have been the best ever.

'Russ Abbott has just joined us and would have become the main character. When I broke the news to him he said, “I'm gutted”. Millions still enjoy the series and the actors love being involved."

But the BBC insisted that no decision had yet been made on the future of the show,

A BBC spokeswoman said: ‘Last Of The Summer Wine has not been decommissioned.

‘There is a Christmas special about to go out followed by a new series in the autumn. The series after that will be commissioned once the new series is on air.’

Published: 18 Dec 2008