Open All Hours: Inside Out | Preview (U&Gold)

It’s 50 years since its debut series, so high time to celebrate the phenomenally popular “Open All Hours”.

Starring Ronnie Barker as the penny-pinching shopkeeper Arkwright, David Jason as his unlucky-in-love nephew Granville and Lynda Baron as Arkwright’s no-nonsense fiancée Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, the series hit topped the ratings in the 1980s and spawned a hugely successful follow up, “Still Open All Hours” in the 21st century.

Narrated by Diane Morgan, Open All Hours: Inside Out is a two-hour examination of all 67 episodes stretching from the pilot to the final special in 2019, featuring classic moments, exclusive unseen outtakes and behind-the scenes footage.

Sir David Jason leads a glittering list of cast and crew interviewees including Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Maggie Ollerenshaw, Kulvinder Ghir, Barbara Flynn, James Baxter, Nina Wadia, Ronnie Barker’s daughter Charlotte Barker and the creator and writer of every episode, Roy Clarke.

They speak warmly about a series they loved and miss. However, in another exclusive to this documentary, Roy Clarke has penned a concluding scene starring Sir David, bringing us up to date with Granville in 2026 and giving the series the send-off it never had.

Open All Hours: Inside Out airs Thursday 7th May at 8pm on U&Gold.