'Cold Feet' is taking "a break" after the upcoming series.

Hermione Norris

Hermione Norris

The ITV comedy drama - which returned with its sixth series in 2016 after a 13-year wait - is back on the small screen this week for its ninth season, but creator Mike Bullen has confirmed plans to take a step back, with no extended run planned for 2021.

He is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "I want to take a break. We are going to rest the series.

"We're not going to do one next year. We need to give the characters some space to move on to new stages so that we've got stuff to write about.

"We're talking about doing a one-off special to tide us over."

His comments come after Fay Ripley - who stars in the programme alongside Hermione Norris, James Nesbitt, John Thomson and Robert Bathurst - revealed wages vary between the cast.

After raising the issue a year ago, she recently explained: "It's a really tricky one because it's not like other jobs.

"Pay is measured on very odd things that are to do with 'bankability'. It's not a case of the boys being paid more than the girls, as a whole unit, but we are not all paid the same."

While the show won't be back for a full series next year, bosses haven't ruled out a standalone episode, and actor James has previously admitted he'd love to keep the story running for "as long as" he's invited back.

He said: "I will keep doing 'Cold Feet' as long as they keep asking me. As long as people are still interested, and there are stories to be told, they can ask me for ever."

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