Plan to revive Atkinson's buffoon

Mr Bean could return to TV screens … as a pensioner in an old folks’ home.

Writer Richard Curtis says he wants to revive Rowan Atkinson’s bumbling character as a nursing home resident.

However 55-year-old Atkinson is reportedly less keen on the idea, saying he is 'very unlikely' to return to the character he first played at university.

Speaking to the Daily Mail to mark the 20th anniversary of Mr Bean’s TV exploits, Curtis said: ‘I am tempted by the idea or Mr Bean in an old people's home, so Rowan doesn't have to go on dyeing his hair.

‘Mr Bean does behave with all the selfishness of a child and I think a lot of childish traits remain in people as they Grow Up – though of course they try to hide them.’

Mr Bean attracted 18million viewers in its TV heyday, and also spawned two films and an animated TV series.

Meanwhile, Atkinson has just started work filming Johnny English 2, the follow-up to his 2003 film about a hapless spy.

Published: 13 Sep 2010