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Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Iconic BBC sitcom to make surprise return to screens two years after death of creator
No episodes of the BBC sitcom have been produced since the death of its creator in 2023 but the series will be back on screen for a Christmas special this year. Two Doors Down is making a return to screens for a Christmas special later this year. The BBC sitcom - which followed the lives of residents living on a Scottish backstreet - initially ran for seven series from 2016 until 2023, and it was originally thought that no more episodes would be produced following the death of creator Simon Carlyle at the age of just 48. But the broadcaster has now announced that the programme will indeed return for a festive episode, and Simon's co-creator Gregor Sharp has written the script. He said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' The ensemble cast is made up of a host of Scottish talent, with Alex Norton and Arabella Weir starring as Eric and Beth Baird, whilst Jonathan Watson and Doon Mackichan play their neighbours Colin and Cathy Whyte. Elaine C. Smith and Graeme Stevely will be back in their roles as Christine O'Neal and Alan respectively, whilst Joy McAvoy will make a comeback as Michelle, and Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) will return with his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). The action will unfold when all the neighbours pile into Beth and Eric's house to celebrate Christmas. Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, said: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another tortuous Christmas. Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Confirmation of the special comes just months after actor Kieron let slip that something was on the way as he spoke of how "though" it would be to get back together without their creator, telling The Daily Record: 'The first day on set without Simon will be tough for everyone. He was such an integral part of the filming, let alone the writing. He was there every day, all day. He was our friend. He was giving us notes. He was supervising it and guiding it. Carlyle also wrote for Changing Ends, an ITV comedy series about Alan Carr growing up in the 1980s, and BBC LGBT+ show Boy Meets Girl. There no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, it's been reported. Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of our friend and colleague Simon Carlyle. "Simon was a wonderful comedy talent who, amongst many other credits, co-created and wrote the multi award winning series Two Doors Down. His warm comic voice shone through these characters, garnering huge audience affection, and firmly establishing it as a long-lasting sitcom favourite. Our sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time." His death came before the seventh series of the sitcom went to air, and it eventually moved from BBC Two to BBC One for broadcast, although all episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer. Around the same time, actor Grado claimed that there would be "no more" episodes produced, and the production team spoke of how "deeply saddened" they were by the news of Simon's death. The sitcom's production team added: "We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. Simon was a brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being. He had a microscopic fascination with what makes funny things funnier and we were so lucky to have known him. He was at the centre of all the work we made together and his loss will be felt profoundly by all of us. We send love and support to his family and friends." "Farewell @Simoncarlyle - I am totally devo'ed by your leaving us. The laughs won't ever be the same. Sleep well pal. #RIPSimonCarlyle," one Twitter user wrote this evening, as another fan tweeted Caryle's Twitter account saying: "I'm devastated to hear you're no longer with us. We started speaking when #TwoDoorsDown very first came on TV. Thanks for always being so kind to me and thank you for such an incredible show! I'll miss our little chats. Thinking of everyone who knew you. Love."
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Two Doors Down's shock comeback confirmed by the BBC
The multi-award-winning programme will return with a new Christmas special. The broadcaster said the residents of Latimer Crescent, where the show is based, will congregate at Beth's (Arabella Weir) and Eric's (Alex Norton) house to celebrate Xmas. The BBC also confirmed all the stars of the show will feature in the episode, including Christine (Elaine C Smith), Cathy (Doon Mackichan) and Colin (Jonathan Watson), Alan (Graeme Stevely) and Michelle (Joy McAvoy), plus Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). READ MORE: Two Doors Down star pictured filming new show at Glasgow pub READ MORE: Star of Two Doors Down confirms shows shock comeback Gregor Sharp, who has written the new Christmas special, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. "Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family, and then becoming low-level irritated by them, so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie said: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. "Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. "Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco.' Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, added: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another torturous Christmas. "Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and lovable characters, and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland's Head of Commissioning, said: 'I'm delighted to be working with our network comedy colleagues to bring Two Doors Down back to our screens for a festive special. "It holds a very special place in the heart of our audiences, and we're looking forward to seeing what Christmas treats will be unwrapped with our friends at Latimer Crescent.' READ MORE: Glasgow restaurants visited by popular Two Doors Down star Two Doors Down first hit TV screens in 2013 as a one-off special. After that, several series of the show were made. The comedy was written and created by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp. Sadly, we reported how Simon passed away aged 48 in 2023. Following that, Gregor revealed he couldn't carry on the show without Simon. However, earlier this year, fans of the comedy were left buzzing when rumours previously emerged that Gregor had a 'change of heart' and was crafting an Xmas special. The new episode of the sitcom will be produced by BBC Studios Comedy Productions.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Two Doors Down's shock return confirmed as BBC reveal fresh details
TELLY bosses have confirmed that hit sitcom Two Doors Down is coming back for a Christmas special. The comedy favourite was shelved after the last series following the tragic death of co-creator Simon Carlye. 2 Beth and Eric welcome their neighbours 2 Cathy and Colin are also back But The Scottish Sun exclusively revealed in March that the sitcom would be making a shock comeback to be screened over the festive period. Now the BBC has confirmed the residents of Latimer Crescent will be back on screens in December. The whole gang will congregate at Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric's (Alex Norton) house to celebrate Christmas 2025. The neighbours are all back, including sweary Christine (Elaine C Smith), Cathy (Doon Mackichan) and Colin (Jonathan Watson). Meanwhile, Alan (played by Grado aka Graeme Stevely) and Michelle (Joy McAvoy), plus Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson) complete the neighbourly group. Gregor Sharp, who has written the new special, says: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. "Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' Two Doors Down started as a one-off special in 2013. Created and written by Simon and Gregor, there have been seven series and three previous Christmas specials of the hugely popular show. BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie added: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. Two Doors Down star in unearthed Kids Say Funniest Things clip on anniversary "Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. "Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco.' And Josh Cole, Head of Comedy at BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, say: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another tortuous Christmas. "Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and lovable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland's Head of Commissioning, meanwhile said: 'I'm delighted to be working with our network comedy colleagues to bring Two Doors Down back to our screens for a festive special. "It holds a very special place in the heart of our audiences and we're looking forward to seeing what Christmas treats will be unwrapped with our friends at Latimer Crescent.'
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Two Doors Down star reveals hit Scots comedy show is set for shock comeback
Kieran Hodgson, who plays Gordon, is the first of the cast members to confirm rumours the much-loved show is returning. Scots comedy hit Two Doors Down is set for a shock comeback despite the death of the show's creator, one of the stars has revealed. Kieran Hodgson, 37, who plays Gordon, is the first of the cast members to confirm rumours the much-loved show is returning – with favourites like Elaine C Smith and Alex Norton reuniting for a Christmas special. He says there will be tears when the cast come together for rehearsals this summer. The show was scrapped in 2023 when creator Simon Carlyle died aged only 48. In the aftermath his co-writer Gregor Sharp revealed he couldn't carry on without his input. But cast and fans were thrilled when rumours emerged that Gregor has had a change of heart and was writing a Christmas special. Kieran revealed: 'The first day on set without Simon will be tough for everyone. 'He was such an integral part of the filming let alone the writing. He was there every day all day. He was our friend. He was giving us notes. He was supervising it and guiding it. 'Not to have him there will be really ghostly and I can imagine there will be some tears and some moments of silence. Unless we are on the street in Hamilton where we aren't always popular.' Two Doors Down has been a singular Scottish success. A grower which has become more loved with every passing year. It started life as a one-off Hogmanay pilot in 2013. It then took three years before the first full series was shown on BBC2 in 2016. Six series and four Christmas spec-ials followed on BBC2 until, finally, bosses in London realised its comedy gold and moved it to BBC1 in 2022 for a Christmas special. A seventh series had been filmed when Simon died in August 2023, tragically missing out in the glory of his show finally making it to the big time when it was screened that November. The show centred around Alex Norton and Arabella Weir as Eric and Beth Baird, their son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his boyfriend Gordon, played by Kieran, and their neighbours on Latimer Crescent, straight-talker Christine (Elaine C Smith), volatile couple Cathy and Colin (Doon Mackichan and Jonathan Watson) and newbie couple Alan and Michelle, played by Grado and Joy McAvoy. Kieran explained how devastated they all were when Simon died. He said: 'The whole experience of it was utterly heartbreaking because we'd just finished filming that series and Simon passed away a matter of weeks later. 'He and Gregor had worked so hard on it for over a decade. They'd plugged away and built it and built it and built it. And finally it was getting its moment in the sun on BBC1 and then fate just dealt the cruelest blow. 'All I've heard from fans since is sympathy for us and that sneaky desire just to have more in whatever way it can be brought about. 'It's lovely that Gregor feels he can write it now. I'm sure it'll be just as brilliant as it ever was.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Kieran admitted he'd made his peace with accepting it was over. He said: 'I had come to terms with whatever Gregor needed to happen really. 'I was ready to be looking back on it gratefully and being in something that people loved so much.' Now Kieran is as excited as the rest of us to find out what the gang will be up to next when the cast get back together to film the Christmas special. There is a hope if it goes well an eighth series might happen and a Still Game-style run of shows at the Glasgow Hydro. Until the cast and crew thought Two Doors Down was finished the interiors were filmed in purpose-built sets in the BBC's Dumbarton Studios with exterior scenes shot on Avonbrae Crescent in Hamilton. But with news the channel is closing the studio, claiming the lease is coming to an end in September next year, which has led to the axing of River City, if there is an eighth series a new home will need to be found. But if the Christmas special is the final hurrah for Two Doors Down could it also bring, finally, the marriage of Ian and Gordon? Kieran, who has lived in Glasgow since 2020 and takes new show Voice of America to this year's Edinburgh Fringe, laughed and said: 'I think Simon and Gregor loved teasing the audience and I imagine it made them giggle quite a lot to see yet another year going by and they still weren't married. 'I think the closest we've got is looking at wedding venues.' ●Kieran performs Voice of America for the Edinburgh Fringe at the Pleasance Courtyard from July 30-August 24. Tickets from
