BBC looks at Royle Family return

The BBC has confirmed it is in "early talks" with Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash, the creators of the Royle Family, to bring the hit comedy back for one more special.

Aherne and Cash, who also star in the Manchester-based show alongside Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson, are understood to be working on a new one-off instalment, which could air as early as Christmas. The move will surprise viewers who thought a BBC1 special broadcast in October 2006, titled 'The Queen of Sheba', in which Liz Smith's character Nana died, was the final instalment.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We are in early talks about a Royle Family special but nothing has been confirmed." She added that no timings had been worked out but that talks were being held with the whole cast, including Aherne and Cash.

The Sun today quoted a friend of Aherne as saying: "Caroline's creative juices are flowing and her scripts will be packed full of humour. Exactly what the storylines will be haven't been revealed, but they are already being eagerly anticipated by some top BBC executives."

The newspaper said it was thought a script could be ready by autumn after Cash's new BBC series Sunshine – in which Aherne will also star – is finished. BBC1's 'The Queen of Sheba' special – the first Royle Family episode in six years - pulled in 7.8 million viewers and a 33% share.