The return of 'Man About The House'

Classic telly comedy Man About The House is returning to British screens with a new cast, according to press reports. A remake of the 1970s hit is due to screen in the New Year.

It will star Johnny Vaughan, Amanda Holden and Jane Wall. Wall is the best known to New Zealand viewers from her role in The Bill. Vaughan is the star of his own sitcom, Orrible, while Holden (pictured right) was seen here in The Hunt, a Sunday Theatre play.

The original, which ran from 1973 to 1976, starred Richard O'Sullivan as skirt-chasing Robin Tripp, constantly flirting with flatmates Chrissy and Jo, played by Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett. Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce played nosey landlords George and Mildred Roper. There is no word on who will play them in the new version.

Man About The House was a worldwide hit. There were two successful spin-offs — Robin's Nest and George And Mildred — and it spawned a US version, Three's Company.

The cast will keep the same names and the same sexual frisson will be there. But this time the house will be a trendy high-rise flat.