Beloved nineties Channel 4 sitcom to make comeback as a stage show with original cast signing on to return

A popular Channel 4 sitcom from the 1990s will be returning as a new stage revival starring the original cast.

Drop the Dead Donkey aired for six seasons from 1990 to 1998 and was set in the fictional TV newsroom of GlobeLink News.

It followed the staff, led by editor George Den, and made up of characters such as Gus Hedges, Damian Day and Sally Smedley.

Creators Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin have written the script for the play, which is called Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! 

Original cast members Stephen Tompkinson, Neil Pearson, Susannah Doyle, Robert Duncan, Ingrid Lacey, Jeff Rawle and Victoria Wicks are all reuniting to star.

Comeback: A popular Channel 4 sitcom from the 1990s will be returning as a new stage revival starring the original cast

Satire: Drop the Dead Donkey aired for six seasons from 1990 to 1998 and was set in the fictional TV newsroom of GlobeLink News

Hilarious: It followed the staff, led by editor George Den, and made up of characters such as Gus Hedges, Damian Day and Sally Smedley

The show will tour the UK from January to June, opening at Richmond Theatre and end its run at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre.

Andy and Guy say the play will see the characters ‘plunged into the cutthroat world of modern 24-hour news gathering while trying to navigate their way through the daily chaos of social media, fake news and interim prime ministers.’

Stephen, who played gung-ho reporter Damian said: ‘What excites me the most is being back with the cast – we’ve known each other for 30-odd years and this is a whole new adventure.’

The news comes just weeks after a jury cleared the actor of inflicting grievous bodily harm. 

The DCI Banks star was accused of punching a drunk man in the head, who fell to the ground and broke his skull, after finding him and a friend drinking and making noise at the bottom of his driveway in the early hours of May 30, 2021. 

The 57-year-old was cleared by a jury of inflicting GBH earlier this month at Newcastle Crown Court.

Stephen told jurors he only pushed Mr Poole away in self-defence and the contact ‘wasn’t enough to knock a sober man off his feet’. 

The actor previously told chat show host Lorraine Kelly: ‘You have to wonder was it worth bringing (to court). 

‘They were trying to prove a punch that never happened. There was no evidence on my hand, on the guy’s face. He was just incredibly drunk and he fell.’ 

Giving evidence, Stephen detailed the crippling impact of the case on his professional life, with roles he already had taken away from him and any offers drying up. 

Asked by his lawyer if he needed this acting work, he replied ‘yes, absolutely’ – suggesting the trial has had a damaging effect on his finances. 

Innocent: The news comes just weeks after a jury cleared lead actor Stephen Tompkinson of inflicting grievous bodily harm

He let out a sigh of relief but showed no emotion as the jury at Newcastle Crown Court returned a not guilty verdict. 

Stephen’s defence drew on his showbiz career at moments in the trial, describing him as ‘acting royalty.’

His barrister, Nicholas Lumley, KC, said that in the industry ‘there may be hellraisers who wear their reputation as some sort of badge of honour and trade on it’ but his client had always been a true professional.

Drop the Dead Donkey writer Andy appeared in person to testify to Stephen’s good character.

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