A FESTIVE SPECIAL TO GET ALL IN A OVER
BIRDS OF A FEATHER IS BACK FOR A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. HERE LINDA ROBSON AND LESLEY JOSEPH, PLUS GUEST STARS LES DENNIS AND AMI METCALF, TELL US WHAT’S IN STORE
IT WOULDN’T be Christmas without a good old giggle and we are guaranteed plenty of those as Birds of a Feather returns to ITV for an extended festive special. Sadly Pauline Quirke, who plays Sharon in the long-running show, has taken a step back from acting, and won’t be appearing – her absence will be explained by her being ‘stuck on a Covid cruise’ say producers – but regulars Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph are back as Essex girl Tracey Stubbs and maneater Dorien Green.
The women will also be joined by some special guests. Former Family Fortunes host and Corrie star Les Dennis plays Dorien’s love interest, Graeme, while Doctors and Upstairs, Downstairs actress Ami Metcalf joins the cast as Jordan, a new friend of Tracey’s.
Here the foursome tell us what’s in store for their characters and discuss the sitcom’s long-lasting success.
LES DENNIS
HE’S very charming ... or is he?
He’s a Harley Street dentist. He and Dorien met online, he’s very upper class, quite dandy-ish. He was fun to play. Different to me.
Graeme arrives with a matching face mask to his tie and pocket handkerchief. That’s how co-ordinated and dandy he is.
SHE was great. She’s a lovely woman. I’d met her a couple of times on Loose Women. It was lovely to spend some time with her, she’s really nice. And young Ami Metcalf, the new addition, she’s very good as well.
I DO. Gavin & Stacey was great last year, Only Fools and Horses and all those shows. When Russ Abbot was doing TV, we always had a Christmas show (Les and Russ were longtime collaborators in the Eighties). It’s nice to be part of that Christmas schedule again. I love the big Agatha Christie shows – the glossy, really lovely dramas.
It’s the first one for a few years for Birds of a Feather. The repeats were so popular during lockdown. I think that’s what appeals. Right now, we want comfort telly. We really want to switch off and be entertained – away from the news and everything that’s going on.
LINDA ROBSON
IT’S been three years since viewers last saw the Birds and Dorien now owns the house after Tracey sold it to her.
Viewers will remember that Tracey took the rap for the boys and the dodgy cigarettes and ended up in jail! While she was in jail she was befriended by a young streetwise girl called Jordan (played by Ami).
Tracey eventually asks Jordan to move in with her and Dor.
With Dorien now the owner of the house, the dynamics have shifted and it’s hilarious, it’s very ‘War of the Roses’ between the pair of them.
Dorien’s met a man online – Graeme. Tracey’s not a fan of him from the outset and thinks he’s trouble and she’ll be proven right too – he’s a right wrong ‘un!
I ALWAYS watch the Queen’s Speech on TV, that’s a Christmas tradition.
As a family we enjoy playing games – I really like Articulate but I get very competitive, I do enjoy winning!
LESLEY JOSEPH
SHE now owns the house and she and Tracey are driving each other mad.
Dorien has discovered Zoom during lockdown and is enjoying talking to men online. She meets Graeme, a top Harley Street dentist – he ticks all the right boxes for her.
She decides to invite him for dinner at the house, much to Tracey’s dismay, because he’s not part of their bubble. Dorien is not a fan of Christmas but Tracey is determined to get her in the spirit of things...
I’VE known Les for years, he fitted in really well. Graeme is a great character and Les is a wonderful actor. Les and I have a scene together playing Jenga and it’s absolutely hilarious, viewers will love it.
I WATCHED some of the Birds of a Feather repeats on ITV, which I never do because I’m too self-critical.
I must have only seen half of all the episodes we’ve ever made.
I actually really enjoyed the episodes, they were really good.
I adore making Birds of a Feather; one of my happiest memories was the first Christmas special we did way back in 1989, which was all about a Christmas cruise.
AMI METCALF
when Tracey comes to visit her and throughout the episode you get an insight into their friendship.
Jordan looked after Tracey in prison and they got quite close.
YOU can expect lots of laughs! Of course there are references to corona, but it I think it will be lovely to watch around Christmas time and will give people that Christmas feeling – a bit of familiarity and some laughter is what everyone needs at the moment!