Tim Healy has hit out at TV bosses for cutting original gags from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet as it returns to TV.
The massively successful series, which follows seven British migrant construction workers, debuted in 1983 and, at its peak drew in audiences of up to 10 million people.
It's still got a huge fanbase and is immortalised to great effect every two years with the Sunday for Sammy concerts in Newcastle, which means there was great excitement this week when UKTV aired Auf Wiedersehen, Pet from the start on its channel Yesterday.
However, a number of viewers and Tim, who famously starred in the sitcom with the likes of Kevin Whateley and Jimmy Nail, have been left disappointed at the fact that hilarious jokes from early episodes have now landed on the cutting room floor.
One Auf Wiedersehen fan tweeted Benidorm star Tim to say: "Loving watching the first ever episode of @aufwiedpet on Yesterday TV tonight making me want to watch the rest of the series! @TheRealTimHealy great to see you on the tv again! Hope you and your family are keeping well Tim."
And, while appreciating their support, Tim responded: "...it’s such a shame all the gags have gone. So the rhythm of the scenes have become stilted and awkward. Double B******s."
Referencing the axing of old jokes, another viewer tweeted Tim to rant: "I regularly re-watch the DVD’s, The re-runs on Yesterday are absolutely pointless, totally cut to shreds and I don’t know why half of the content is edited! Still one of the best TV series ever made all these years on!" and, in agreement, Tim replied: "Political correctness gone mad!!"
