The show must go on.. go on.. go on..
Father Ted musical plan
Father Ted is to make a comeback as the Pope in a new musical.
The TV comedy’s creator Graham Linehan is working on the show, with original co-writer Arthur Mathews.
Neil Hannon, who penned the theme tune, is working on the music.
The Channel 4 hit – following the exploits of three Roman Catholic priests in Ireland exiled to the fictional Craggy Island – ended in 1998 after the death of star Dermot Morgan, 45, who played Ted.
Graham revealed the cleric will relocate to the Vatican for the new show.
He tweeted: “Pope Ted – The Father Ted Musical written by Arthur Mathews and myself, music by Neil Hannon, is almost written.
“This is not a drill. It’s the real f inal episode of Father Ted.”
The sitcom ran for three series and 25 episodes between 1995 and 1998.
It also starred Ardal O’Hanlon, 52, as daft Father Dougal, the late Frank Kelly as foul-mouthed Father Jack and Pauline McLynn, 55, as tea- obsessed Mrs Doyle, famous for saying: “Go on, go on, go on…”
Graham said there were no casting announcements yet and he’s been having a ball working on the musical.
He said: “Arthur and I have been laughing our a**** off while writing it. Just like the old days.
“He’s the least qualified man in the world becoming Pope. I didn’t want to do this until the right idea came along, and when Trump won and Corbyn won, I kind of thought, ‘Maybe Ted has a chance’.
“Obviously we’re pulling some shenanigans to get him into that position, but I think the shenanigans are entertaining enough that people won’t mind.”