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Friday Night Dinner 10-Year Anniversary Documentary To Air On 28 May

Friday Night Dinner 10-Year Anniversary Documentary To Air On 28 May

The special will look back at the funniest moments from the hit comedy

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

The Friday Night Dinner 10-year anniversary documentary will air on 28 May on Channel 4.

Friday Night Dinner - 10 Years And A Lovely Bit Of Squirrel will look back at the funniest moments from the six series of the hit comedy.

And it will be especially poignant as it will include interviews with the entire cast and crew, including Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal, creator Robert Popper, and Paul Ritter, who sadly passed away last month.

As well as the cast, the film will also hear from celebrity fans of the show, who, like millions of us, have loved being part of the Goodman family.

They synopsis reads: "This one-off documentary celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Robert Popper's iconic comedy, Friday Night Dinner, which gave us that infamous catchphrase, as well as the beloved Goodman family and their even more surreal neighbour Jim, who together have become the heart of one of Channel 4's most popular sitcoms of all time."

Channel 4

Speaking previously about the special doc, Robert Popper said: "I'm delighted that the cast and crew's amazing work is being recognised in this documentary - unless, of course, everything in it is entirely negative."

Kenton Allen, Big Talk CEO said the doc is a fantastic achievement he can't wait to share with the show's army of fans.

He said: "For the first time ever Friday Night Dinner Night will reveal the true story of how a tiny idea became a massive hit.

"In these incredibly difficult times, I couldn't be more delighted that Channel 4 have decided to take fans of the show behind the scenes to discover what it really takes to make a lovely bit of squirrel for millions of viewers."

Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, added: "Over the past ten years Friday Night Dinner has become a critically-acclaimed, ratings and award-winning smash hit, with viewers loving our dysfunctional family as much as we do."

Big Talk / Popper Pictures

Before the doc airs, the country's top three favourite episodes of Friday Night Dinner will be broadcast - as voted for by the British public.

And it comes over a month since the tragic news of Paul Ritter's death was announced.

Best known for his role as the shirtless patriarch of the series, the actor, 54, passed away after suffering from a brain tumour, his agent said.

Following the news, co-star Tamsin Greig paid tribute to him.

Writing in the Guardian, she said: "When I was told that they wanted him to play Martin Goodman in the pilot episode of Friday Night Dinner, I said, 'You get him and I'm in'.

"Not only did Paul deliver in the role, he far surpassed everyone's expectations - surprising, versatile, oddball, rooted in the clearest truth and always utterly, heart-stoppingly hilarious."

She added: "The world is a less brilliant place without Paul in it. Go lightly, my friend. You are deeply beloved."

Friday Night Dinner - 10 Years And A Lovely Bit Of Squirrel will air on Friday 28 May on Channel 4.

Featured Image Credit: Channel 4

Topics: Entertainment, Funny, UK Entertainment, Channel 4