Carrie has the last laugh... C

ARRIE FISHER steals every scene in one of her last ever acting performances, in this poignant series finale dedicated to her memory.

The Star Wars actress died aged 60 following a cardiac arrest in December, just days after she finished filming this comedy in London.

And it’s a bitter irony that her scenes here involve attending the funeral of Sharon’s dad, who has died from a stroke.

Of course her character, Rob’s utterly irrepressible and brash American mum Mia, has her own version of paying her respects. This involves reassuring Sharon’s mum, Carol, that she’s “still got it”, and planning some serious jumper shopping. She’s heard the jumpers are good in Ireland.

It’s a fantastic comedy turn by the inimitable Carrie, and you should lap up your last chance to see her on screen (barring only the posthumous release later this year of Star Wars: The Last Jedi).

When she died, Catastrophe writers Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan (who play couple Rob and Sharon) spoke out about the part Carrie played in their show. “She was the only cast member Sharon and I would let improvise,” says Rob. “We’re a bit despotic and inflexible with our dialogue because we’re insane, but Carrie was more insane and would always, always make it funnier and better.”

Later in this episode, Oprahwatching Amazon-ordering junkie Mia decides to stay with Rob and Sharon for a while – much to Sharon’s horror.

There are high levels of emotion (and alcohol consumption) for Fran (Ashley Jensen), traumatised that Doug has dumped her.

And Rob is still trying to find the right moment to tell Sharon that he has fallen off the wagon.

All roads lead to a dramatic finale. Thank goodness there’s another series in the works, that’s all I’m saying.