Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles reunite for one-off Christmas special of 'To the Manor Born'

Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles are back together for a BBC1 Christmas special of the programme which once enjoyed audiences of up to 24million.

And we are assured that, although they are now 67 and 71 respectively, the chemistry is still there.

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Back together: Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles reunite for a one-off 60 minute special of the hit BBC1 show 'To the Manor Born'

For the uninitiated, the story features the aristocratic widow Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton, who is forced to sell her manor house to cover the debts of her dead husband and has to adapt to life in a tiny cottage.

From there Audrey, played by Miss Keith, disapprovingly observes the progress of self-made businessman Richard DeVere, played by Bowles, after he buys her former home.

For three series between 1979 and 1981, the pair sniped at each other until they reached an understanding and married in the last episode.

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1981: Agreeing to differ: The couple married at the end of Series Three

In the Christmas programme, life at the Grantleigh estate comes under threat as the couple celebrate their silver wedding.

With the help of schoolfriend Marjory, played by Angela Thorne, Audrey goes into battle to defend a community, safeguard 400 years of history and save her marriage.

The original series aimed to cash in on Miss Keith's success playing the snooty neighbour Margo in another hit comedy, The Good Life.

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The series of 'To the Manor born' once enjoyed audiences of up to 24million

Strangely Bowles had been offered the role of Margo's husband but had to turn it down through work commitments and it went to Paul Eddington.

Bowles, who last year celebrated his 45th wedding anniversary, has since starred in Rumpole of the Bailey, Perfect Scoundrels, The Bounder and Only When I Laugh.

Miss Keith has taken on a range of stage and screen roles - and also acted as High Sheriff of Surrey.

Viewers last saw Audrey and Richard in 1981, when the couple finally married following a turbulent relationship conducted over three much-loved and high-rating series.