Cold Feet beginning to show its age

The old gang are back - again - but the frailties of middle age make for more mordant TV than the mishaps of youth.

Cold Feet, ITV, review

Mike Bullen's drama tackles midlife as if it's never been away.

Cold Feet: Oh it's good to have you back!

Ultimately, judging from the first episode alone, it's clear that any worries about Cold Feet's return were unwarranted as this new series seems to maintain all of what made the original so great.

Cold Feet - revival favoured poignancy over nostalgia

It's been 13 years since Cold Feet's credits last rolled, during which time the thirtysomethings had turned into fiftysomethings. Their cute toddlers were now hormonal teenagers. Could the old magic be recaptured with this heavily hyped comeback? Largely, yes. Cue sighs of relief from fans who feared their memories would be tarnished (for many of us, the BBC's dreadful 10th anniversary of Nineties hit drama This Life still lingers).

Ceallach Spellman to appear in Cold Feet reboot

Actor and BBC Radio 1 presenter Ceallach Spellman is to join the cast of Cold Feet.

This new six-part comedy brings the ambition and style of The Office to the world of under-11s football. Steve Edge, of Phoenix Nights, plays soccer dad Terry McConnell, living his life of failed, feeble dreams through his son Malky (Ceallach Spellman). The action is all acutely observed, but the characters, in this first episode at least, are simply not likeable enough.

Pick Of The Day: A mockumentary set in the rough and tumble world of under-11s football, this is The Office crossed with Mike Bassett: Football Manager. It's full of stereotypes from the world of rain-lashed Sunday mornings.

And casting-wise this instantly likeable Bolton-set sitcom scores a double. Steve Edge is pitch-perfect as obsessed football dad Terry McConnell with Ceallach Spellman as his tousle-haired striker son Malky.

Terry's career was ended by a busted knee - now he pours his ambition into his boy. You get the feeling though that Malky has other ideas. What I really like to do is cook, he explains unexpectedly at one point. Mostly Mediterranean...