Shane Richie to make 'nice little earner' as Arthur Daley's nephew in return of Minder

Now that hole is to be filled with an attempt to recreate the huge success of Arthur Daley and Terry McCann in the 1980s.

Instead of reuniting George Cole and Dennis Waterman, Channel Five has cast former EastEnders star Shane Richie as Arthur's nephew Archie Daley, with Lex Shrapnel as Jamie, his minder.

It's back: Shane Richie will take George Cole's place in the new series of Minder

Millions tuned into the original Minder series on ITV in the Eighties, which followed the dodgy money-making schemes of ‘Arfur’ Daley and his protector Terry.

The on-screen double act of Cole and Waterman lasted for ten years after launching in 1979. It then carried on with George Cole and a new sidekick until 1994.

Now Channel Five is bringing the show into the modern day for a six part drama series to air on the channel next year, it was revealed yesterday.

But despite bringing the show up to date bosses are promising to stick to the principles of the original show, keeping a family feel rather than gritty drama.

Programme makers claim each hour long episode of the drama will be 'exploring a corner of contemporary London'.

In each show Archie and Jamie come into contact with a cast of contemporary characters from 'wannabes and has-beens, to villains and police'.

The series will also feature guest stars and cameo appearances from a range of British acting talent.

Nice little earner: George Cole and Dennis Waterman in the original

George Cole, 83, has previously said he would oppose any attempt to reunite him and Waterman in a revived show.

He has said: ‘I think it’s had its day now and I don’t think it would work.’

But there is speculation over whether Waterman might make a cameo appearance in the new series.

Five director of programmes Ben Gale said the new series would ‘retain all the humour and charm of the original Minder’.

Executive producer for Talkback Thames Johnathan (corr) Young, said: ‘Minder is one of the British comedy drama greats.

‘We want to satisfy fans of the original, but will also add different elements in order to excite new viewers.’

Richie, 44, is most well known for his role as Alfie Moon in EastEnders, which he played between 2002 and 2005.

Shrapnel, 28, has appeared in the 2003 Thunderbirds film and TV roles such as The Last Detective, Sharpe’s Challenge and Beneath the Skin.