Star cast for Jonathan Creek return (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Star cast for Jonathan Creek return

6:50pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Joanna Lumley and Rik Mayall are among the stars who will be taking guest roles when Jonathan Creek returns to TV.

The show, starring Alan Davies in the title role, is coming back to BBC1 for a 90-minute special at Easter.

Also making an appearance will be Rik's former colleague from 80s TV comedy hit The Young Ones, Nigel Planer, and actress Sarah Alexander, known for roles in Me And Mrs Jones and Coupling.

Alan, a regular panellist on Stephen Fry's QI, will reprise his role as the magic trick-designer and part-time sleuth for an episode called The Clue Of The Savant's Thumb.

He will be joined by Sheridan Smith, who has appeared in the show before as Joey Ross, as well as Rik who reprises his role as Detective Inspector Gideon Pryke.

Jonathan and fellow investigator Joey are drawn into a case involving a secret society, some apparently supernatural events at a girls' boarding school and the disappearance of a body.

Alan said of the return: "It's nearly 17 years since I first auditioned for the part. The duffle coat is always on stand-by, even if the periods of duffle-hibernation are quite long these days."