Birds Of A Feather is returning for a Christmas special for the first time in three years, with Linda Robson announcing the exciting news on Loose Women.
Linda and her co-star Lesley Joseph are reprising their roles as Tracey Stubbs and Dorien Green with guest star Les Dennis as Dorien’s new flame Graeme.
Pan Actress Ami Metcalf will also be appearing as Jordan, a young friend of Tracey’s, and comedian Curtis Walker will be making a cameo appearance too.
Pauline Quirke will unfortunately not be returning as Sharon Theodopolopodos, with the actress wanting to focus on her work on her performing arts academies across the country.
Linda, 62, revealed that ITV asked the team to create a Christmas special after the re-ran during lockdown, and explained they have already filmed it.
She pointed out that Pauline’s absence will be explained by her character being ‘stuck on a cruise ship in Costa Rica because of the Covid’.
The actress has teased the ‘brilliant’ script, explaining of the comeback: ‘I’m so happy we have a new Birds adventure.
‘Trace and Dor have been at loggerheads with each other for months, will it be a peaceful Christmas in Essex?!
‘The script for this special is brilliant, I promise we’ll have lots of laughs for fans of the show.’
Show creators, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran added: ‘We’re really excited to help bring Birds of a Feather back to ITV’s screens to give the nation some seasonal cheer in these peculiar times.’
Meanwhile, actress Lesley said: ‘I’m so excited to be putting Dorien’s high heels back on for a Christmas special of Birds.
‘It’s been three years since viewers last saw us and Dorien’s only gone and got herself a new man! We all need a laugh right now and I promise this special will deliver the festive goods!’
The last time we saw the Birds, Tracey reluctantly sold the house they all shared to Dorien.
However, so much has changed in 2020 – and the Birds are no different.
The original series began in 1989, running until 1998.