BBC fans devastated as legendary show tipped for return suddenly axed

The much-anticipated return of sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf has been scrapped - despite several episodes having already been reportedly in the works. The programme, which was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, initially launched in 1988 on BBC2 and was set to make a comeback after UKTV bosses greenlit plans for a fresh special.

Nevertheless, writer Doug shared that the sci-fi show was axed several months after receiving the go-ahead. Doug, who claimed to have been "two-thirds" through his screenplay when it got the chop, shared the devastating update in a Reddit Q&A discussion about the beloved programme. He sadly explained: "Back in January 2023, I went in for a meeting with UKTV who said they wanted to progress a new 90-minute Red Dwarf special. The cast were all on board and I was told to start writing. Several months later, things were progressing and I had got two-thirds of the way through the script, I had just signed my writer's contract, when I got an e-mail from UKTV who said they had difficult news to share - they were no longer going to commission scripted comedy, including the RD special, which I hadn't yet sent them."

It has been roughly four decades since the sci-fi comedy initially graced television screens. The cherished series broadcast on BBC Two from 1988 to 1999 before a revival transmitted between 2009 and 2020.

Red Dwarf focused on Liverpudlian engineer Dave Lister, who awakens after three million years in cryogenic sleep to find he is the final surviving human. He finds himself aboard a mining spacecraft, accompanied by a hologram of his despised former bunkmate, Arnold Rimmer and Cat - a life form evolved from Lister's pregnant cat.

The devastating update comes two months after the passing of Charles Augins at the age of 81. He was best known for portraying the role of Queeg 500 in the sitcom.

His friend Courtney Baker Oliver paid tribute on Instagram. Courtney penned: "Now an ancestor, Charles Augins, legendary choreographer, actor and vocalist was one of my most important mentors. He was the first person to support my work as a director and always encouraged me to dream bigger and say yes to every opportunity my gifts made room for.

"To me he was friend, inspiration, and surrogate father all in one. His presence on the scene kept me connected to #MikeMalone (his best friend since they were teenagers) though Mike's been gone for almost twenty years now. Charles connected me with his friends all over the world , always took my calls and was a sounding board in some of my most challenging moments.

"While his transition from labour to reward is heartbreaking in this moment, I can only imagine the production he, Mike, Kenneth, Lynda, Glenda, and Tony are staging in heaven. The script is on point, the choreography is epic, and the harmonies are tight - I'm quite sure.

"I love you Charles - you knew that. I'm so grateful I had the privilege to be in your life for nearly thirty years. You were magic and you always will be."