THE LAST OF "LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE" THE BBC HAS DECIDED TO AXE THE SHOW...

The longest running TV situation comedy in the world will finally come to an end. After an incredible 37 years the BBC has announce that ithis will indeed be the last summer for the much loved "Last of the Summer Wine".

Cheryl Taylor, controller of comedy commissioning, said the decision to end the show was "very tough". "The BBC feels enormously privileged to have played host to its many charms for such a long time and we very much respect the affection in which it is held. It is very tough to have to call time on such a cherished institution but we are very sincere in our gratitude for, and admiration of Last Of The Summer Wine. It is the undisputed champion of long-running comedy series."

Last of the Summer Wine was first broadcast as part of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse, a long running series  which aired unrelated situation comedies. Comedy Playhouse was often used as a proving ground for writers with sit com ideas, and after the tremendous reception the episodes received on the 4th of January 1973, the BBC commissioned it's writer Roy Clarke and James Gilbert Director, to produce a first series. The first episode of the first season of Last of The Summer Wine was broadcast on Sunday 12 November 1973, it is doubtful that anybody involved in this first season dreamed that the show would still be on our screens in 2010. 

Bill Owen played Compo probably the shows favouraite character for one hundred and eighty five episodes until his death in 2000, he was not exactly been replaced but his son Tom Owen as he starred in the show as the son of Compo from 1991 to date, but he certainly was effective in the transition from the old trio to the latest one. Peter Sallis remains the only original cast member still with the show from 1973.

London born Peter Sallis still plays northern pessimist Norman Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine. Clegg is a respectable middle class lino saleman who is continually led astray by his close friend and ex-school friend Compo. Clegg was made redundant way back in 1973 which is why he was thrown into Compo and Blamire's company, his dragon of a wife Edith drove him out of the house as he was getting under her feet. Norman Clegg has been a glorious and celebrated fixture of the show since the first episode in 1973.

One of the other key characters appearing in the show since 1983 is the small West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth. Initially the exteriors were filmed on location and the interiors in a studio at BBC Television Centre. Unusually for a British Sitcom in the 90's the BBC decided to do away with the studio element and now films the entire show on location in Holmfirth and West Yorkshire. Like that other great BBC Sunday night show, All Creatures Great and Small, Last of the Summer Wine's choice of location has created a thriving tourist industry, as fans flock to take tea in the cafe in central Holmfirth, and enjoy the beautiful walks around the town. BBC One will celebrate the end of the long-running series with special editions of Countryfile and Songs Of Praise both will come from Holmfirth.

Cheryl Taylor also said "It is a testimony to the wit and warmth of the characters that Roy Clarke originally created that this amazing series has endured over several decades," Roy Clarke has written all 289 episodes from 1973 to date.

Have your say on our Last of the Summer Wine Forum.... is it a shame or about time?