Filming is to start next week on a new series of 80s hit series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

The programme, which was originally broadcast on ITV, is being made for BBC One after a 15-year break.

The original cast members - including Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall and Kevin Whately - all revive their former characters, except for Gary Holton, who died of a drugs overdose during the filming of the last series.

"The timing seems absolutely right for the return of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet," said BBC controller of drama commissioning Jane Tranter.

"The fact that all the original team have embraced it so enthusiastically demonstrates the power that the show still has to excite people.

"It's moved on, in spirit and in time, and the maturity if the characters has brought a new edge and humour to the storytelling."

Millions of viewers

The original series attracted millions of viewers and was originally set in Germany.

But the gang eventually ventured to Spain and became mixed up with some expatriate villains.

The Germans even blamed the show's popularity for the influx of British builders attempting to find work in the country.

The comedy was eventually axed in 1986 following a three-year run.

The actors took up other projects and some went on to become huge stars.

Nail went on to top the charts and star in the movie Evita, Whately is widely recognised from his role as Sergeant Lewis in Inspector Morse, Spall starred in the Oscar-nominated Secrets and Lies, among other roles, and Healy has appeared in a string of big-name series.

Filming for the new series begins next week with locations in the UK including London and Middlesbrough, and Arizona in America.

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet will be shown on BBC One next year.