Dawn French has admitted that Vicar Of Dibley’s Christmas specials became particularly tough when it came to saying goodbye to character Alice Tinker.
Actress Emma Chambers, who played the ditzy and lovable Alice, tragically died in 2018 from a suspected heart attack. She was 53 years old.
Starting next week, Dawn is returning to the fictional village for three specials, titled Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown, covering the parishioners’ lives during the 2020 pandemic.
Over the course of the episodes, Dawn’s character Geraldine will address the death of Alice, delivering a eulogy via her online sermons.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly today, Dawn explained: ‘We try to be light and funny but we also remember those who aren’t with us anymore.
‘There’s a eulogy to Alice there, which wasn’t very easy for me to film, but it was important to do.’
Dawn’s comments echo the BBC’s announcement of the show, where it was stated that Alice will remain ‘an important presence in the village’.
The three 10-minute episodes air weekly from next Monday, and will see Geraldine continuing to bring hope to the local residents with online updates.
James Fleet is also returning as Hugo Horton, Alice’s just-as-clueless husband, who stays with the vicar during quarantine.
But we’re sure hilarity will ensue, with the pair learning to deal with each other and those around them during key moments of 2020.
The final episode of the BBC sitcom aired in 2007, 15 years before Emma’s sudden death.
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV.
Credit: Original article published here.
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