Last Tango in Halifax series 5 episode 1 review: From Caroline’s budding romance to Gillian’s woodworm – it’s just brilliant

Just when we thought Last Tango in Halifax would end at season four, creator Sally Wainwright surprises us with another drama-filled and hilarious series – and episode one of series five was definitely worth the wait.

The Bafta-winning series returned on Sunday and it continued to follow the story of widowed pensioners and former childhood sweethearts Alan and Celia (Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid). It also stars Sarah Lancashire, who plays Celia’s daughter Caroline, and Nicola Walker who plays Alan’s daughter Gillian.

And Sally didn’t waste any time with packing the drama into the first episode as seven years after rekindling their childhood romance, things aren’t all rosy for Alan and Celia, as the cracks in their marriage are really starting to show.

So much so that Derek gets himself a job at the local supermarket, but as Celia reminds him he’s not allowed to take the car to work so Derek suggests the bus: ‘When was the last time you caught a bus?’

During his job interview, we are also introduced to a new character, Bailey, who Derek naively becomes fond of after the lad is caught shoplifting fish fingers and a loaf of bread, but while giving him a lift home Bailey does a runner.

Although after his brief appearance in episode one, we don’t think that will be the last we see of Bailey.

As for poor Gillian, not only does her house have woodworm, she is having a few struggles financially as she turns to her dad for help…which Celia is far from happy about and as you can imagine, Celia makes her opinions known.

And let’s just say it makes Gillian and Caroline’s birthday meal rather awkward.

Elsewhere John (Tony Gardner) is back on the scene much to our delight as he tries to give his ex-wife Caroline some advice on her love life.

One question we have wondered since the last series was, will Caroline find love again following the tragic death of her wife Kate?