Red Dwarf will return for its twelfth series this October on Dave, it has been confirmed.

In addition, an old face will be back eighteen years after his last appearance in the show. Yes, Norman Lovett will be reprising his role as Holly.

Norman originally played ship’s computer Holly in the first two series of Red Dwarf, before Hattie Hayridge took over for series three through five. The character was then absent for the show for almost two full series, before returning – again played by Norman – at the very end of series seven and throughout the eighth.

But ever since Back to Earth, Holly has been absent from the ship – and the show – thanks to an offscreen incident with an overflowing bath. Absent, that is, until now.

“Yes, it’s true,” says writer/director Doug Naylor. “Holly, played by Norman Lovett, guest stars in one of the new shows in Red Dwarf XII. But which show remains a secret!”

The first episode of Red Dwarf XII premieres Thursday, 12th October 2017 on Dave.