‘The Vicar of Dibley’ is returning this Christmas!

Okay, this isn’t a period drama, but we’re very excited so thought we’d share the news anyway…

It’s been announced that three brand new instalments of The Vicar of Dibley will air this festive season!

The official synopsis reads: “During lockdown, post lockdown and pre-another-lockdown, Geraldine has been writing and delivering monthly sermons to her parishioners via Zoom… when she can make it work.

“These new thoughts on life (and chocolate) will air after repeat showings of classic episodes of the multi-award winning The Vicar Of Dibley, this Christmas on BBC One.

“Geraldine will be helped by Hugo Horton (James Fleet) as well some of the local primary school children as the Vicar discusses all the important topics, including how it’s never a good idea to let Owen Newitt cut your hair, or make home-made wine. The very dearly departed Alice Tinker is also still an important presence in the village, with some residents still looking for lost buttons and the arrival of decimalisation.”

Starring Dawn French as vicar Geraldine, the much-loved British comedy series originally aired for 20 episodes between 1994 and 2007.

The three special 10-minute episodes will air weekly next month on BBC One in the UK, with a 30-minute compilation episode of all three sermons airing later in December.

A broadcaster in the US hasn’t yet been announced, but we’d expect the episodes to appear on BritBox.

Dawn French commented: “Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn’t be happier. Bless you.”

Writer and creator Richard Curtis added: “Like every village in the country, there’s been a lot happening in Dibley this year – and Dawn has got a lot to say about it.”

All three original seasons of The Vicar of Dibley are currently available for UK viewers to watch on BBC iPlayer right now.

American viewers can watch every episode for free with a 7-day trial of BritBox!

Dawn French will reunite with comedy partner Jennifer Saunders next year in Death on the Nile, Kenneth Branagh’s delayed sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express.

The Vicar of Dibley is available to watch Amazon Prime Video.