Last Christmas we got reacquainted with Gavin and Stacey and this year we’ll be checking in with Geraldine Grainger when The Vicar Of Dibley returns for three brand new episodes.

Dawn French is to reprise her much-loved role as the nation’s favourite vicar, for The Vicar Of Dibley in Lockdown to mark the end of what has been a year we’d all like to forget.

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. 

Speaking about reprising her most famous role, Dawn said: “Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn’t be happier. Bless you.”      

Creator Richard Curtis added: “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 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, who was played by the late Emma Chambers, 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 30 minute compilation episode of all three sermons airing later over Christmas.

Let’s hope there are no sprouts involved…

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