The beloved sitcom premiered on screens over 20 years ago and has amassed a loyal legion of viewers
‘One of greatest sitcoms ever’ could return after 21 years off air but there’s a twist(Image: PA)
An iconic ITV show could be making a return, according to one of its stars who has revealed they “have the scripts” and “the actors waiting to do it”.
Back in 2000, the sitcom Fat Friends burst onto our screens and followed a number of beloved characters as they attempted to lose weight at a slimming club in Leeds.
The show boasted a stellar cast too, including Gavin and Stacey legends Ruth Jones, James Corden and Alison Steadman and Emmerdale stars Lisa Riley and Gaynor Faye, Alison Steadman. However, the programme – created and written by the late Kay Mellor – finished in 2005 before later being turned into a musical.
And it’s fair to say the programme – which was recently released on Netflix – was an instant hit and still to this day, receives rave reviews from viewers who are only just discovering it.
On Reddit, one person declared: “I loved it [Fat Friends]! It’s so refreshing to watch. Up there as one of the best shows from the noughties. The emotions and acting are also so believable I was not expecting it!”
A third penned: “I’m literally watching it now! Never watched it first time round, I’m really enjoying it. Great cast and the characters are super likeable. Great for a binge watch.”
But now, 21 years since it was last on screens, star and daughter of Kaye, Gaynor, has teased the programme could be making a comeback.
“I am trying to get it back on and trying to get a remake done. That’s what I am trying for now. I need everyone to get behind it and ask for it,” Gaynor said, on behalf of Zingo Bingo.
The former Emmerdale star added: “We have the scripts, we have the actors waiting to do it and it will be amazing. It’s one of those things where we just need people saying bring back Fat Friends and then we can bring it back.
“What she, my mum, brought to the attention of people, is that this is what used to happen. She did a lot of research into it, so it’s all based on the truth of what was happening at the time.”
Meanwhile talking about Fat Friends making its way into Netflix, Gaynor said she was “absolutely delighted”.
She added: “We’ve got the OG fans who originally watched it and loved it, but we’ve also got a whole new audience of young people, having watched it now too.
“Obviously for me, my mum’s show being on there and people watching, who might not have seen her other stuff, is massive, I’m so chuffed that people have got to see it again.”