The Royle Family, the popular sitcom starring Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, is to return to screens at Christmas, it has been confirmed.

The news was revealed by co-writer Craig Cash, who stars as Dave in the Manchester-based sitcom, and Ralf Little, who plays son Antony, at a Sky1 press launch for their new sitcom The Café (Guide).

The new special follows the success of one-off Christmas episodes in 2008, 2009 and 2010. After initially running for three series between 1998 and 2000, the characters were revived for a 2006 special, The Queen Of Sheba, in which beloved Nana died.

Despite criticism of "dumbing down" in the revivals from certain groups of fans, the 2009 and 2010 specials, broadcast at 9pm on BBC One on Christmas Day, attracted 10.23 and 9.9 million viewers respectively.

Speaking in further detail to website Digital Spy, Cash said: "We think that the character still have lots of mileage in them, and they seem very popular. And my wife needs a new kitchen." However, he also implied that - whilst not impossible - it was unlikely that he and co-writer Caroline Aherne would commit to a full series again: "It takes it out of you doing 6 weeks. And then there's the time it takes to write and then edit. It just seems nice to keep it as a one off; the public seem to like it being on at Christmas."

Further details on the 2011 special have yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to again be broadcast around 9pm on Christmas Day, on BBC One.