The long-running drama shows no sign of flagging as series eight begins, picking up after the recent festive special.

We are plunged directly into a community as if we were tuning in halfway through to a long-running drama series, although in narrative terms not a great deal happens.

That turned out to be merely episode one in a long-running drama.

This was a long-running drama.

It also satirised the shortcomings of long-running dramas produced on small budgets with its little artificial-looking set, missed cues, crude camera work and hasty scripts.