Last Tango in Halifax - final episode, BBC One, review

I for one can't wait to find out what Wainwright has in store for Gillian and the rest of Last Tango's intoxicating cast of characters next time round.

Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid star in the kind of British drama at which the BBC excels and, as the impressive viewing figures show, audiences still appreciate. The plot has modern flourishes (widower is reunited with childhood sweetheart via Facebook; lesbians) but this is an old-school, multi-generational observational family drama with comic subplot and it's all the better for it. Everything is pointing to a series-crowning wedding although, with an hour to fill and several other relationships hovering on the edge, we will have to work for our happy ending.

Last Tango in Halifax holds up to 5.8 million on BBC1

Last Tango in Halifax topped Tuesday night's ratings for a second week, according to overnight data.

Last Tango in Halifax, series 2, episode five, review

It's Nicola Walker's turn to shine in the latest Last Tango in Halifax episode.

Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker shine

I found this to be a thoroughly satisfying instalment of a series that's had its ups and downs.

As Alan and Celia's wedding plans gather pace in the final episode of this second season, Gillian's drunken confession has left Caroline in something of a moral quandary. Caroline's also struggling to win back the affections of Kate, as Robbie is persuaded to take a chance with Gillian.

Love is firmly in the air, then, and as usual the calibre of the writing and acting is very high indeed. Whether it's light-hearted japes or more serious, lugubrious subject matter, the performances throughout are first rate, while the exchanges always feel genuine and realistic.

Of course, events culminate in the much-anticipated wedding itself, which doesn't disappoint. A touching and uplifting affair, it manages to tug on the heartstrings without becoming saccharine. Every plot is concluded quite neatly; given this sort of quality and such impressive ratings, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Last Tango in Halifax get a third series.

Last Tango In Halifax, episode four, review

The superb acting skills of Derek Jacobi lifted the latest episode of Last Tango in Halifax, says Michael Hogan.

Last Tango in Halifax leaps to over 5.7 million on BBC1

Last Tango in Halifax bounced back to top the ratings on Tuesday (December 10), overnight data reveals.

The shockwaves from Gillian's escaped secret are still evident tonight, as Celia tries to reassure Alan that he did the right thing in keeping shtum. Elsewhere, Kate and Caroline's romance hits some turbulence as a mini-break turns sour upon the arrival of a new character. Then Alan hears some news that puts him in mind of family unification. Meanwhile, hapless John (a consistently brilliant performance by Tony Gardner) makes another one of his impulsive decisions about love. Splendid.