Mike Bullen's new work focuses on the life of people in their 40s, according to a Sunday newspaper.

About 10 million viewers were expected to watch the last Cold Feet episode on Sunday.

It has been a huge success in its five-year stint about six characters in their 30s in Manchester.

Despite the ratings, Bullen has ruled out bringing it back for another series.

(Life Begins) is like Cold Feet, which partly came from my experience of the issues you confront in your 30s Mike Bullen

But there is some consolation for the addicts who will be mourning its passing.

The Independent on Sunday reports the first new series, Life Begins, will star Caroline Aherne as a mother whose life is turned upside down when her husband leaves her.

The other new work is George III, about a man in his 40s who becomes a grandfather and grandson.

Bullen told the paper: "Cold Feet was a series in which all of six main characters shared more or less the same profile, but Life Begins is mainly about this one woman, though of course I'll be introducing other characters.

"It's a series about a woman who thought she had her life sorted, but is having to come to terms with the fact that it isn't.

"I've known women in that position, so to that extent it's like Cold Feet, which partly came from my experience of the issues you confront in your 30s."

He said George III was about a "vertical cross-section" of society, whereas Cold Feet was "horizontal".

Although he remained adamant there would be no return for Cold Feet, Bullen said a spin-off concerning one or two of its characters was a possibility.