Dawn French opens up about Emma Chambers tribute in new Vicar of Dibley series

Emma played the lovable Alice in the original series

Author: Alex RossPublished 3rd Dec 2020
Last updated 4th Dec 2020

Dawn French has spoken out about the upcoming return of The Vicar of Dibley, in which she stars as Vicar Geraldine Grainger. The show, which is making a spectacular return this Christmas, will see three brand new 10-minute, lockdown-inspired episodes.

The hugely-anticipated episodes will give fans a glimpse as Vicar Geraldine Grainger attempts to hold a series of sermons for her parishioners throughout lockdown, which of course means, over Zoom.

Dawn has appeared on Lorraine to speak about the upcoming revival, "We asked ourselves, and by we I mean writers Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer and I asked ourselves, ‘What would Geraldine be doing in the lockdown?’ And of course she would be on the webcam talking to her parishioners so that’s what we have done.

"We have made nine little tiny films where she, through the power of Zoom, is connecting with everybody and it’s funny and silly as she is talking to folk. She is doing a sort of newsletter and a sermon. We have tried to be light and funny but we also try to remember those who aren’t with us anymore."

Of course, fans of the show will remember that Emma Chambers, who played the lovable Alice Tinker on the original show, sadly passed away in 2018 - but Dawn has confirmed that she will pay tribute to her co-star, admitting that she really struggled to film that section.

She said, "There is a eulogy to Alice there which wasn’t very easy for me to film which was important for me to do," even confirming that there will be a nod to the end-of-show joke which Alice never quite understood.

"We do have Hugo Horton, Alice’s husband, he is there with me," she confirmed. "James Fleet plays him, and there is a lovely moment when I tell a joke to him and fingers crossed he might get it at last."

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Speaking about the show's return, creator Richard Curtis said, "Like every village in the country, there's been a lot happening in Dibley this year - and Dawn has got a lot to say about it."

The three episodes will be shown in the run-up to Christmas, with the first airing on Monday 7th December at 8.50pm on BBC One, and a half-hour compilation airing at a later date.

Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning for the BBC, said, "This triple festive treat from the nation's favourite fun-loving vicar is the warm comedy hug we've all missed."

The Vicar of Dibley first hit our TV screens way back in 1994, with viewers hooked on the comedy until it ended in 2007.

Dawn French has previously brought back the show for a number of charity specials, including both Comic Relief and the BBC's Big Night In which took place in 2020.

We can't wait for the new episodes! 🙌

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