Shane Richie to star in Minder revival

Shane Richie will play Arthur Daley's nephew in its revamped version of the classic series Minder, Five has confirmed.

After much speculation, the channel has revealed that ex-EastEnders star Shane will play Archie Daley in the series, which is due to air early 2009.

Royal Shakespeare Company actor Lex Shrapnel will take on the role of Archie's bodyguard or 'minder' Jamie Collins, in what Five says is an updated version of the series for a modern audience.

Talkback Thames has been commissioned to produce the six-part revival of Minder, which was a huge success back in the 1980s and starred George Cole and Dennis Waterman.

Ben Gale, Five's director of programmes, said: "I am delighted to confirm this commission which retains all the humour and charm of the original Minder.

"The assembled on and off-screen talent is exactly what's needed to bring this celebrated series to life for a new audience."

In keeping with the Minder style, each hour-long episode will be a self-contained story where Archie and Jamie cross paths with all kinds of characters from villains to police.

A spokeswoman for Five said there were no plans for George or Dennis to appear in the new series.