BBC bosses confirm Last of Summer Wine ending

The show, filmed in and around Holmfirth, first appeared in 1973 and has become the world's longest running sitcom.

The Yorkshire Post revealed the latest series would be the last in an interview with creator and writer Roy Clarke yesterday.

Mr Clarke, who has written every episode and who also created Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances, said that after 40 years the show would leave a big gap and that it was like "your wife leaving you".

BBC One will celebrate the end of the long-running series with special editions of Countryfile and Songs of Praise being broadcast from Holmfirth.

BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: "Last of the Summer Wine has been part of BBC One for nearly 40 years. This wonderful final series is a fitting farewell to these much loved characters and I am delighted some of the channel's other heritage brands will be helping to say goodbye in style."

Since its debut, Last of the Summer Wine has featured famous faces including Eric Sykes, Dame Thora Hird, Peter Sallis and the inimitable Bill Owen as Compo Simonite.

Cheryl Taylor, who commissions BBC comedy added: "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."