Grace Brothers back and John Challis in for tribute to Are You Being Served?

Challis, who lives at Wigmore near the Shropshire border, will take on the role previously played by the late Frank Thornton when the sitcom returns after a 30-year hiatus.

The Only Fools and Horses star took centre stage in the first image from the sitcom revival, which was today released ahead of the one-off special, which will pick up where the show left off.

With a new all-star cast, the sitcom follows the staff at fictional London department store Grace Brothers.

Captain Peacock is a floorwalker who considers himself a cut above the assistants and is inclined to brag about his somewhat questionable military record. Mrs Slocombe is back with her distinctive brightly-dyed hair, with Loose Women and Benidorm star Sherrie Hewson taking over the role from the late great Mollie Sugden.

Jason Watkins looks impeccable as Mr Humphries, stepping into John Inman's well-polished shoes.

Also joining him on the retail floor are Roy Barraclough as Mr Grainger, Arthur Smith as Mr Harmon, Justin Edwards as Mr Rumbold and Niky Wardley as Miss Brahms.

The cast picture also provides the first glimpse of some new characters, including Gavin And Stacey star Mathew Horne as Young Mr Grace, the original Young Mr Grace's grandson. With big blonde hair, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter is almost unrecognisable as Mr Rumbold's secretary Miss Croft, while Kayode Ewumi plays new recruit Mr Conway.

Derren Litten has written the one-off special of the sitcom, which began on BBC One in 1972 and ran for more than 10 years.

Are You Being Served? will air in September and will be part of the BBC's Landmark Sitcom Season.

This will revisit old favourites including Porridge, Goodnight Sweetheart and Keeping Up Appearances and a few other old favourites from the golden age of television.