Rock & Chips back for Christmas 2010 special

Young Del Boy and baby Rodney will return to BBC One for two new portions of nostalgic comedy drama Rock & Chips.


How many episodes is it back for?

Two new 60-minute specials have been written by Only Fools And Horses creator John Sullivan. The first episode will transmit at Christmas 2010 and the second will transmit in 2011.

Who's back?

Nicholas Lyndhurst (Freddie), Kellie Bright (Joan) and James Buckley (Del) will reprise their original roles.

> Read our interview with James Buckley.

> Read our interview with Kellie Bright.

> Read our interview with Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Who's new?

A host of familiar faces will be joining, including Mel Smith as DI Thomas, Paula Wilcox as Joan's mother-in-law Violet and Kacey Ainsworth and Samantha Spiro as mothers of Del's various conquests.

What should we expect??

The new episodes pick up the Trotter story following the birth of baby Rodney in 1960 and follow the fortunes of the family as Del progresses to manhood in Sixties London, alongside faithful muckers, Boycie (Stephen Lloyd), Trigger (Lewis Osborne), Denzil (Ashley Gerlach) and Jumbo Mills (Lee Long).

John Sullivan says: "We are thrilled that Del's winkle-pickers and bomber jacket are going to get another couple of outings on BBC One. The first episode was a great popular success for the channel and there's plenty more twists and turns in the Trotter family history for us to explore before we're finished!"

What's the first episode about?

In 'Five Gold Rings', Christmas is coming and money is tight in the Trotter household. Reg (Shaun Dingwall) and Ted (Phil Daniels) are still their usual workshy selves. It's only Del who is bringing in any cash, from his market stall dealings in American imported records. So Joan is facing up to going back to work. Raynor (Robert Dawes) has offered her her old job back at the Ritz cinema. But who will look after baby Rodney? Fortunately Joan can rely on her mother-in-law, Violet, much to Ted's horror. Meanwhile, Del is busy getting himself a fiancee or two and Freddie is trying to avoid jail as his old nemesis DI Thomas is determined to nail him for the Margate jewellery robbery.

What's the second episode about?

In the following episode - 'The Frog And The Pussycat' - Joan longs for a new life. Reg has found her a job as a charlady, but it's not entirely suitable as her employer has a very different idea about her responsibilities. Del also has new aspirations - to become a movie producer. If only he could find the finance. Maybe his latest squeeze might persuade her father to invest... that would provide the answer to both of their problems!