'League of the Gentlemen' is expected to make a television comeback.

Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss has confirmed he's planning to make an "anniversary special" for the black television comedy, which first aired in January 1999, that will see Tubbs, Herr Lipp, Papa Lazarou and co reunite for the first time since the show concluded in 2002.

The 50-year-old screenwriter made the revelation over the weekend in a tweet directed at film director Duncan Jones after he said he was a "huge fan" of the show.

He said: "Hi @ManMadeMoon Thanks so much for your kind words Big fan. You may be pleased to know that we're planning a 'League' anniversary special! (sic)."

Although Gatiss refused to divulge any more details, it's thought the special won't hit television screens for another two years as it'll probably fall in line with its 20th birthday.

Fans have been speculating for years that another instalment of the sitcom would arrive on screens but, as each year passed by, their hope of a reunion diminished drastically.

However, Gatiss set tongues wagging recently when he said the show could return to capitalise on Brexit - a term used for the UK's planned withdrawal from the European Union - as it would suit Tubbs' desire of having their 'local shop for local people."

The 'League of Gentlemen' was created by Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson and the show originally aired on BBC Radio 4 before moving to television on BBC Two.

It is based around residents of the fictional Pennines town of Royston Vasey and ran for three series from 1999 to 2002 and went on to win a BAFTA.

A film adaptation was also made in 2005 called 'The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse'.

Back in October 2016, Gatiss revealed he and the rest of the gang had discussed doing something to mark the special date.

He said at the time: "We're hoping to do it again. We've talked seriously about doing something. We're not quite sure what it is yet but we'd love to do something. I think increasingly talking about prescience, we have become a local country for local people and I wonder if there is something Brexity in us that we can do."

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