Last Tango in Halifax stars Anne Reid and Sir Derek Jacobi are keen to make a fourth series

So comfortable are Anne Reid and Sir Derek Jacobi in each other’s company, you’d think the Last Tango In Halifax stars go way, way back.

But despite their easy, natural rapport, the pair had never actually met each other before starting work on the hit series in 2012.

“We knew of each other before, but we were brought together for this show and we liked each other immediately,” smiles Derek, 78, who plays Alan Buttershaw in the drama, which returns for a two-part special this week.

“We met for the first time in a restaurant in London before we shot series one and we just got on.”

“I think the reason we get on so well is that I talk a lot and he is much quieter,” laughs Anne, 81, aka Alan’s opinionated partner Celia.

“It was funny because, seven years ago, I got asked to do a reading at a carol concert and they told me it was going to be me and Derek.

I couldn’t do it in the end, so I said: ‘Damn, I would really like to have met him.’ And there he was, two years later…”

It’s a testament to the pair’s tight bond that, despite spending long hours on set, they still have dinner together every night at their hotel in Manchester after filming.

“That’s the nicest part of our job, actually. I love our evenings, they’re really good fun,” smiles Anne. “We couldn’t possibly tell you what we talk about… Other actors!”

Both descend into fits of childish giggles, then continue their affectionate banter.

“I don’t ever get bored of Derek,” says Anne. “I think he gets bored of me as I talk too much.”

“No, it’s lovely,” he deadpans, eliciting enough laughter to fill the room. “It’s like music!”

Speaking of which, the friends have recently released their own album of romantic show tunes and old standards, You Are The Best Thing… That Ever Has Happened To Me.

“It’s her fault!” Derek says of how the record came about, pointing in his pal’s direction.
“Derek fell down some steps on holiday a few years ago,” Anne explains.

“We were chatting in the hospital and he said: ‘I won’t be able to jive any more,’ because we both like to dance. So I replied: ‘Well, we could sing, why don’t we make a CD?’ and he said: ‘That’s a great idea!’ I’ve already planned the next one. I’m the pushy one, as you can probably tell!”

First, though, fans can get their fix of Derek and Anne in Last Tango’s Christmas episodes.

The plot sees their characters take up amateur dramatics, but Celia is still struggling with her headteacher daughter Caroline’s sexuality.

“Alan tries to teach Celia to be more broad-minded, but she isn’t,” sighs Anne. “I know people like that who on the surface seem very nice, but when you scratch away, you find out you couldn’t be friends with them. It’s a wonderful part, though, and I am very lucky.”

So it’s not surprising that Derek and Anne would love to make a fourth series of Tango.

“We’d like to do more, but it’s up to [writer] Sally Wainwright,” Anne reveals. “There aren’t any plans for another run that we know about.”

Perhaps they could revisit the show in five or 10 years’ time when Sally has more time?

“If we’re not dead!” laughs Derek.

Anne shoots him a mortified look: “Why don’t I find that funny?!”

NEW! Last Tango In Halifax Monday & Tuesday 9pm BBC1