Could Mr Bean wheel back to our TV screens as a bumbling resident of a nursing home?

By Liz Thomas

In the chair: Rowan Atkinson on the first day of filming for Johnny English 2 in central London yesterday


He will forever be a child at heart, but it seems even Mr Bean cannot escape the ravages of time.

The bumbling comedy icon could return to television screens as an ageing resident of a nursing home.

Writer Richard Curtis, who worked on the 1990s ITV series before going on to create hit films such as Four Weddings And A Funeral, has said he is 'tempted' to return to Mr Bean.

However, he may have a hard time persuading Rowan Atkinson, who has said he is 'very unlikely' to play the character he created 20 years ago again.

The closest Atkinson has come to Mr Bean recently is his accident-prone spy Johnny English.

He was spotted in London in a wheelchair at the weekend filming a scene for the sequel to the 2003 film.

But Curtis said he was hopeful the actor would come back to Mr Bean.


Should I reprise Mr Bean? Rowan Atkinson thinks deeply as he films at the weekend


He said: 'I think Mr Bean in 2010 would be obsessed by his Sky box and having access to everyone and endlessly going on YouTube.

'I am tempted by the idea or Mr Bean in an old people's home, so Rowan doesn't have to go on dyeing his hair.

'Mr Bean does behave with all the selfishness of a child and I think a lot of childish traits remain in people as they grow up – though of course they try to hide them.'


No dye required: Richard Curtis has said he is 'tempted by the idea of Mr Bean in an old people's home, so Rowan doesn't have to go on dyeing his hair'


The character originated from sketches for Atkinson's stage show in the 80s, which were moulded into Mr Bean for television.

It was one of ITV's most popular series running from 1990 to 1995 and at its peak had audiences in excess of 18million.

It also spawned two films, one in 1997 and one in 2007.

The series still pulls in millions on ITV3 and one sketch has 57million hits on YouTube.


Comedy capers: The bumbling Mr Bean attracted 18million viewers in its heyday during the early 90s


source: dailymail