The Vicar of Dibley to return in lockdown-inspired Christmas specials

Dawn French is to reprise her much-loved role as vicar Geraldine Grainger for three lockdown-inspired episodes of The Vicar Of Dibley at Christmas.

The 10-minute specials will see how Geraldine has been delivering monthly sermons to her parishioners via Zoom... when she can make it work.

Her musings on life - and chocolate - will air after repeats of episodes of the classic sitcom.

French said she "couldn't be happier" to be back.

The show's 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."

Geraldine will be seen talking to local primary school children about "important" topics, including how it's never a good idea to let Owen Newitt cut your hair, or make home-made wine.

The three short episodes will air weekly, with a 30-minute compilation episode then airing around Christmas.

The Vicar of Dibley ran on BBC One from 1994 to 2007, and has since returned for occasional charity specials, including for the BBC's Big Night In earlier this year.

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."

Elsewhere in the BBC's winter schedule, entertainment to lift the mood will include a comedy season of live stand-up on TV from across the UK, and a series of stand-up specials on Radio 4.

All BBC pop radio stations will also take part in a Christmas House Party, and local radio stations will broadcast exclusive interviews with famous music stars plus a number of special carol concerts.

Other religious plans will acknowledge that for many people regular congregational church services will still not be available. Under the banner The Christmas Like No Other, programming will include the broadcast of a special Evensong from St Paul's Cathedral on 8 December.

An extra series of Sunday Worship will go out on BBC One over the Christmas period, plus there will be live services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on BBC One, as well as the traditional Carols from King's on BBC Two and Radio 4, and The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year's Day message.

On New Year's Eve, with most people likely to be seeing in 2021 at home rather than at parties, a live entertainment show called The Big New Year's In will feature celebrity guests and a concert.

In early 2021, Sir David Attenborough will return with a five-part series titled A Perfect Planet on BBC One. Popular shows on air before the end of March will include His Dark Materials, Doctor Who, Line of Duty, Call the Midwife and Top Gear.

BBC Sounds will host a second series of Radio 4's Grounded with Louis Theroux, and Radio 2 will celebrate musical theatre in January with a season of special programming.

The coronavirus and its impact will be given particular emphasis in range of specially commissioned programming.

It will include actor David Harewood's investigation into the disproportionate impact Covid-19 is having on people of colour.

A Horizon special will feature the scientists leading the development of vaccines across the world, and in recognition of the varied experience of the coronavirus across the UK, new temporary local radio stations will be set up in Bradford, Wolverhampton and Sunderland.

Meanwhile, the special Bitesize primary educational offering will continue online and on TV until the Easter holidays. And for secondary students there will be two weeks of home learning content packs.

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