Downunder Dwarf

Fans in Oz have their wish granted as screenings begin on UKTV.

30 November, 2001

Australian Dwarfers will finally be able to put their feet up with a tinny and stoke up the barbie - as well as any conforming to any other national stereotypes they feel like - with Red Dwarf in the background, as UKTV snap up the show for a three year deal.

UKTV have previously shown series I-V, and are now gearing up for a full run - starting with an all-out, New Year special. From Monday, December 31st (8.30pm) to Wednesday, January 2nd (7am), the channel will be screening the entire series, from start to finish!

"UKTV is very excited to show all 8 series on UKTV plus [the] two specials, A-Z of Red Dwarf and Smeg Ups." Lorelle Yee, Marketing Manager for UKTV, told reddwarf.co.uk. "It's a great treat for the fans - and what better way to chill if you've had a big New Year's Eve then to laugh yourself silly watching Red Dwarf."

This, it seems, is only the beginning for the channel's Dwarf-o-mania - future screenings of the ratings-winning show are already planned. "Aside from the marathon running over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, we plan to screen all eight series from March sequentially."

With thirty-four and a half solid hours of 'Dwarf being shown over the New Year, reddwarf.co.uk hopes that there will be suitable toilet breaks for the fans. "Our viewers will need to organise themselves...!"

A quiz, including the odd Red Dwarf question, is currently running on the UKTV website. Prizes include a copy of 'Thin He Was and Filthy Haired' signed by Robert Llewellyn, and a poster signed by Craig Charles. (Entrants must be a FOXTEL or Austar Australian pay TV subscriber.)

You can find a link to UKTV's website in the links section of the Dwarf Tracker, which will also be carrying Red Dwarf broadcast listings for the channel from March.