Matthew Kelly is returning to our screens (Picture: John Angerson/REX/Shutterstock)
90s legend Matthew Kelly is making a rather unexpected TV comeback as Inside No. 9 returns for its ninth and final series.
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s critically acclaimed BBC drama is returning for one final run, with an A-list cast in tow.
For the uninitiated, each episode of the series, which first aired in 2014, is a self-contained story with a blend of reference points, from slapstick comedy to gothic horror, all unfolding inside a building marked number nine.
And filming is now underway for the final instalment, which will head to screens in 2024, featuring Stars In Their Eyes’ Matthew.
The TV presenter, 73, who fronted the iconic ITV singing competition from 1993 to 2004, first appeared in ITV sitcom Holding the Fort in the early 80s, before gaining fame as a presenter on the likes of Game for a Laugh and panellist in Punchlines.
After his exit from Stars In Their Eyes in 2004, Matthew returned to acting in TV adaptations of Cold Blood and Bleak House, as well as several performances on stage.
The 73-year-old will be featuring in an A-list cast (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The Stars in Their Eyes presenter will now be in Inside No 9 (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He’s now heading back to the small screen and will be joining the likes of Dorothy Atkinson, This Country star Charlie Cooper, Mark Bonnar and Derry Girls actress Philippa Dunne.
Plebs’ Joel Fry, Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran, Eddie Marsan, Vinette Robinson and Adrian Scarborough and Susan Wokoma have also been announced in the cast.
Speaking about the final series, creators Reece and Steve said: ‘It is with mixed emotions that we announce we have started filming the final series of Inside No. 9.
‘We overheard some crew members the other day describe us as “a couple of Wonkas” and that seems an apt description.
Inside No 9 is back for its ninth and final series (Picture: BBC/James Stack)
‘We take the finest ingredients (stellar casts and creatives) and blend them with our secret recipe to produce unique confections that are delicious and often deadly.
‘It has been the greatest privilege to have been allowed to make 55 wildly different episodes and we’ll miss the yearly challenge of trying to entertain and surprise our audience.
‘We honestly feel like golden ticket winners – which makes us not a couple of Wonkas, but a pair of Charlies.’
Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy, added: ‘Reece and Steve have, once again, served up a stellar line up of guests to star alongside them in their funny, beautifully crafted and totally original scripts.
Steve Pemberton (L) and Reece Shearsmith previously hinted it may not be ‘over for good’ (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
‘Inside No. 9 will be hugely missed, but this final series promises to be a treat for all their avid fans.’
Josh Cole, Head of Comedy at BBC Studios Productions, also shared: ‘Inside No. 9 is an all time comedy great, and Reece and Steve’s achievement in writing 55 extraordinary episodes is little short of breathtaking. There is something so special about this show, and we will miss making it more than words can say.’
But it’s not all bad news, as the duo had previously said that while Inside No 9 may not be ‘over for good’ it was a ‘good time to pause’.
Reece said:’We’re not saying it’s over for good. After all, The League Of Gentlemen came back, but we won’t be looking to make any more episodes for the time being.’
Inside No 9 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with series nine premiering on BBC Two in spring 2024.
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He’s back on our screens in just months!