TV stars reunite for revival of iconic BBC show after 30 years-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

The Fast Show is coming back for a 30th anniversary tour (Picture: PA)

Three decades after The Fast Show first appeared on our screens, the cast of the hit 1990s series are readying themselves for a big 30th anniversary comeback.

The sketch comedy show, which originally ran between 1994 and 1997, was the creation of Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson, and starred the likes of John Thomson, Caroline Aherne, and Mark Williams.

After originally coming to an end in 1997, The Fast Show returned with a number of specials that aired between 1999 and 2020. And now it’s going to be coming back for a UK tour in the near future.

It was reported on Thursday morning that Whitehouse, Higson, Thomson, Williams, plus the likes of Simon Day and Arabella Weir, will be part of the line-up at the shows which will run from February until April 2024.

The dates will see the show travel through London, Stoke, York, Glasgow, Oxford, Basingstoke, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth, Brighton, and Liverpool.

The original series started in 1994 and featured almost 100 different characters (Picture: BBC)

Speaking to The Sun, Whitehouse, 65, joked that a Fast Show reunion needs to happen before they’re ‘all dead’.

Aherne, who appeared in 23 episodes, died in 2016, aged 52.

Higson added: ‘We’ve had some ideas about using the characters in another format, like the Carry On films, or even a panto, so this tour is just to test the waters.’

The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer star, also 65, revealed that, despite spending 20 years apart from each other, the cast all still get on and are looking forward to getting back on stage together.

The tour will see The Fast Show journey their live show around the UK (Picture: Phil McIntyre)

Higson then revealed that he, Paul, and Simon recently met up at a benefit show in memory of Fast Show and Citizen Khan star Felix Dexter, who died in 2013.

‘People are interested,’ Higson continued. ‘Paul and I have been talking about doing something live for a long while but never had the time where we’re available to do it.’

As of right now there are no concrete dates in the diary but Whitehouse reiterated that they aim to get the show completed soon – or, as he puts it, ‘before we all peg it’.

The Fast Show will come back before too many of the cast ‘peg it’, Paul Whitehouse says (Picture: Phil McIntyre)

The original series ran for three seasons (Picture: BBC)

Across its years on the air, The Fast Show introduced Britain to numerous big names in comedy, with many of the series’ stars going on to produce, act, and write in several high profile TV shows and films.

John Thomson became a star of shows such as Cold Feet, Coronation Street, and Men Behaving Badly, while Mark Williams became best known internationally for his role of Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise.

The Fast Show also featured guest spots from the likes of Johnny Depp and Robbie Williams, with the former actually approaching Whitehouse and Higson and asking to be featured as part of a sketch.

The 30th anniversary tour will be the first proper Fast Show special since its 25th anniversary special, which aired in 2020.

The year delay was eventually explained by Thomson, who revealed that the BBC had originally been unable to provide the funds required: ‘They went to the Beeb with a budget for everything that wasn’t extortionate for two half-hours and the powers that be said no.’

Watch episodes of The Fast Show on NowTV and BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Paul Whitehouse wants to die from a heroin overdose because it’s a ‘modern’ way to go

MORE : Paul Whitehouse urges John Cleese not to bother with Fawlty Towers reboot

Entertainment – MetroRead More