Dawn French is to reprise her much-loved role as the nation’s favourite Vicar, Geraldine Grainger of the Parish of Dibley, for The Vicar Of Dibley in three Lockdown specials to mark the end of this extraordinary year.  

During lockdown, post lockdown and pre-another-lockdown, Geraldine has been writing and delivering monthly sermons to her parishioners via Zoom…when she can make it work. These new thoughts on life (and chocolate) will air after repeat showings of classic episodes of the multi-award winning The Vicar of Dibley, this Christmas on BBC One. 

Dawn French says: “Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn’t be happier. Bless you.”      

Richard Curtis says:“ 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.” 

Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning for the BBC says: “This triple festive treat from the nations favourite fun-loving vicar is the warm comedy hug we’ve all missed.”

Geraldine will be helped by Hugo Horton (James Fleet) as well some of the local primary school children as the Vicar discusses all the important topics, including how it’s never a good idea to let Owen Newitt cut your hair, or make home-made wine. The very dearly departed Alice Tinker is also still an important presence in the village, with some residents still looking for lost buttons and the arrival of decimalisation.

The 3 x 10 minute episodes will air weekly, with a 1 x 30 minute compilation episode of all three sermons airing later over Christmas.

Series one of The Vicar Of Dibley is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. 

The Vicar Of Dibley in Lockdown is made by Tiger Aspect Productions Limited (a Banijay UK company), and written, as ever, by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, and produced by Jon Plowman. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, and Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Ben Caudell and the Executive Producers are Richard Curtis and Peter Bennett-Jones.