Sir Tony Robinson has hinted a new Blackadder project is in development after he reprised the role of Baldrick for Comic Relief.
The actor, author and broadcaster, 76, shot to fame in 1986 playing dimwitted sidekick Baldrick to Rowan Atkinson’s Edmund Blackadder.
Earlier this month, as part of the annual Comic Relief broadcasting, he read a humorous bedtime story inspired by Cinderella as the character. It was the first time he had played the role in nearly 25 years.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Sir Tony said fans could look forward to new material, adding: “There is something new coming at some point in the next few months but I’m sworn to secrecy as to precisely what it is.
“All I can say is that it will be on TV, and it’s something associated with Blackadder that viewers won’t have seen before.”
He said the Comic Relief sketch had inspired the move. “I was swamped with love from the public after that, so I’m feeling very positive about the future.”
Before the sketch was broadcast, Sir Tony addressed Atkinson’s absence - saying: “This just happens to be a script for Baldrick.”
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he added: “No, this just happens to be a script for Baldrick.”
“Rowan always contributes to Comic Relief. I’m sure he’ll be there in some form or another.”
The actor also spoke of his enthusiasm at being asked to reprise his role by the sitcom’s co-writer, Richard Curtis, after they saw each other at a recent Radio Times event.
He said: “It was extraordinary for me. This was a character that I hadn’t played for 25 years and I suddenly got this beautifully crafted script, and I said ‘Yeah, try and keep me away from it!’.”
Sir Tony had previously reprised his role for a Comic Relief Red Nose Day sketch in 1988 alongside Atkinson.
The special, which was set during the English Civil War, saw Edmund Blackadder and Baldrick as the last two men loyal to the defeated King Charles I of England.
The veteran actor also returned to the role in 1999 for the short film special Blackadder: Back & Forth.
The first series, The Black Adder, was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while subsequent series were written by Curtis and Ben Elton.
