Popular BBC drama will NOT be returning to screens

A beloved BBC drama will not be returning for a sixth series as the leading actress has confirmed that another instalment will not be on its way.

Anne Reid appeared on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain and dashed fans’ hopes that there will be another series of the Last Tango in Halifax.

The popular comedy-drama ran for four series from 2012 until 2016, before returning for a fifth series in 2020, much to the delight of fans.

While appearing on GMB, Anne, 87, who stars as Celia Dawson on the show, was quizzed by presenter Ed Balls on whether Last Tango in Halifax will return.

However, Anne left fans disappointed as she said she doesn’t think there will be another series, but hinted that they could do a Christmas special. 

Not coming back: A beloved BBC drama will not be returning for a sixth series as the leading actress has confirmed that another instalment will not be on its way

Oh no! Anne Reid appeared on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain and dashed fans hopes that there will be another instalment of the Last Tango in Halifax

Oh no! Anne Reid appeared on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain and dashed fans hopes that there will be another instalment of the Last Tango in Halifax

She said: ‘It would be lovely, I know Derek is up for it and I talk to Sarah, I don’t know about Nicola. She said, “I think a Christmas special would be nice”. We wouldn’t do another series.’

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment. 

Written by Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright, Last Tango in Halifax follows former childhood sweethearts Celia (Anne) and Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi).

The pair reunite when they are widowed and in their 70s after their grandsons connect them on social media, leading to them rekindling their love and tying the knot.

The plot also follows the lives of their respective daughters Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) and Gillian (Nicola Walker).

Season four of the drama aired back in 2016 but the fifth series did not come to screens until 2020 as busy writer Sally penned the next instalment of the show.

The much-anticipated fifth series followed Alan and Celia seven years after they got married and saw them living in a stunning bungalow together.

Sally has previously shared that Last Tango in Halifax is loosely based on the true story of her own mother’s romance with a former school friend later in life.

End: While appearing on GMB, Anne, 87, who stars as Celia Dawson on the show, was quizzed by presenter Ed Balls on whether Last Tango in Halifax will return

Beloved: Written by Happy Valley's Sally Wainwright, Last Tango in Halifax follows former childhood sweethearts Celia (Anne) and Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi)

Beloved: Written by Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright, Last Tango in Halifax follows former childhood sweethearts Celia (Anne) and Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi)

Sally has recently also seen huge success with the return of Happy Valley, which also starred Last Tango in Halifax actress Sarah Lancashire.

The part of Sergeant Catherine Cawood in the BBC crime drama was created specifically for Sarah by Sally, who was blown away with her Bafta-winning performance as lesbian headmistress Caroline in Last Tango In Halifax.

Happy Valley returned to screens after a long wait for its third and final series, and came to a climatic end in episodes which aired earlier this year. 

The final episode concluded the three series, nine-year cat and mouse game between Sgt Cawood and Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton).

The dramatic 15-minute-long stand-off between the pair sees villain Tommy finally give in after running from his crimes for three seasons.

Defeated, he finds himself face to face with enemy Catherine and admits he ‘doesn’t hate her anymore’.

Dousing himself in gasoline, the criminal decides that he’d rather not be alive than go back to prison – pulling out his lighter to set himself on fire.

Acclaim: Sally has recently also seen huge success with the return of Happy Valley, which also starred Last Tango in Halifax actress Sarah Lancashire (pictured)

Acclaim: Sally has recently also seen huge success with the return of Happy Valley, which also starred Last Tango in Halifax actress Sarah Lancashire (pictured) 

Showdown: Happy Valley returned to screens after a long wait for its third and final series, and culminated in a showdown between Catherine and Tommy-Lee Royce (James Norton)

Showdown: Happy Valley returned to screens after a long wait for its third and final series, and culminated in a showdown between Catherine and Tommy-Lee Royce (James Norton)

While many fans were expecting a high-octane conclusion, and perhaps even Catherine’s demise, Sally’s decision to pivot her finale around a 15-minute kitchen table war of words between Tommy and Catherine left viewers in awe. 

The Daily Mail’s Jan Moir called the episode ‘as moving and unexpected as it was thrilling and thought-provoking, with moments of choking emotion as well as flashes of humour.’

Lucy Mangan writing for The Guardian praised ‘surefooted’ creator and writer Wainwright who took us through to neat but truthful resolutions to every part of the story.’

Carol Midgley for The Times agreed, declaring ‘Hats off to Wainwright for avoiding a spectacular, shoot-out showdown. The genius of this was the low-key, domestic smallness of it.’

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