‘We really want to switch off and be entertained – away from the news’
Les Dennis and Lesley Joseph talk about the Christmas Special of sitcom Birds of a Feather
It wouldn’t be Christmas Day on ITV without Birds Of A Feather, and here, original cast member Lesley Joseph and guest star Les Dennis talk about this one-off special episode.
Les Dennis
What can you tell us about your character, Graeme? He’s very charming … or is he? He’s a dentist, 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.
Have you always been a fan of Birds Of A Feather?
I’ve always been a fan. I’ve always loved (Laurence) Marks’ and (Maurice) Gran’s writing. I was a big fan of Shine On Harvey Moon and The New Statesman, all of those shows they wrote. Birds is the longest-running and the characters are great.
What was it like working with Linda Robson?
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 to the show, she’s very good as well.”
What’s normally on your Christmas viewing menu? Do you watch any comedies?
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. It’s nice to be part of that Christmas schedule again. I love the big Agatha Christie shows – the glossy, really lovely dramas. And it’s the first one for a few years for Birds Of A Feather. 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.”
Lesley Joseph
What will the Christmas special have in store for Dorien?
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…
What was it like working with Les Dennis?
I’ve known Les for years, he fitted in really well. Graeme is a great character and Les is a wonderful actor.
Do you ever watch the ITV repeats?
I actually 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.
● – The Birds Of A Feather Christmas Special airs on Christmas Eve at 9.15pm on ITV.