Details of a storyline remain top secret – as does a location – but Pauline Quirk says she’s expecting ‘mayhem’ from the one-hour special

Apart from some Downton Abbey specials, ITV ­gen­­­­erally throws in the towel at Christmas.

But we are delighted to hear that, for the first time in nearly 20 years, they are filming a Christmas special of Birds of a Feather abroad.

The hour-long sitcom will delight its millions of fans.

Pauline Quirke, who starred as Sharon Theodopolopodous, said: “Us birds together abroad can only mean one thing – mayhem!”

On-screen sister Linda Robson said: “The storyline is brilliant and we’re all so looking forward to an amazing adventure.” Lesley Joseph, who plays Dorien Green, said: “I’m excited to be flying abroad again with the birds. I can’t wait to put the nails back on.”

Details of the storyline are top secret for now but we’re told the plot revolves around “mayhem and mishap” on the trip overseas.

Tim Healy as Les/Lesley and Adam Gillen as Liam in Benidorm
ITV have ruled out a crossover with Benidorm ( 
Image:
ITV)
The venue is somewhere warm and sunny but we are assured it is “definitely not Benidorm” – so that is one ITV crossover that is not happening, even if it might have helped the budget.

The Christmas return of Birds of a Feather is also good news for fans because there is sadly no new series of the sitcom in January.

ITV has struggled to get the busy trio of actresses together and has only now managed to confirm enough time to film the 60-minute December special.

Talks are now taking place, in the hope that there could be a full series later in 2017.

Since its comeback on ITV in January 2014 after 15 years away, the show has continued to be a huge hit, drawing audiences of more than seven million.

For that reason alone we think the Birds will fly high in the ratings if bosses give them a Christmas Day slot around 9pm.