The BBC, wanted and expected it to be made in the usual style of a traditional television sitcom (ie. recorded live in front of a studio audience on video cameras). However, Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash insisted it had to be made in their preferred style: on a closed set and shot in an observational/documentary style, on a single 16mm film camera.
Caroline Aherne (Denise Best/Denise Royle) exited the show following the third season in 2000, wishing to move on to new projects. It was thought that it would continue in spite of Aherne's absence, but Ricky Tomlinson (Jim Royle) also quit the series, to ensure that it did not continue without Creator and co-star Aherne's input. Aherne and Tomlinson returned in 2006 for season four, episode one, "The Queen of Sheba", which Aherne co-wrote.
Geoffrey Hughes (Twiggy) did not appear in the specials after 2010 as he was suffering from advanced prostate cancer. As of 2010, he retired from acting (eventually dying in 2012) but is mentioned in later specials. He receives a special "In Memoriam" dedication at the end of "Barbara's Old Ring" broadcast during Christmas 2012.
Caroline Aherne (Denise Best/Denise Royle) allegedly initially quit the show in 2000, due to a row with Writer Craig Cash, citing that she would not appear on television again. This prompted Ricky Tomlinson (Jim Royle) to also quit, though both returned in 2006, when Aherne and Cash began working together again, and wrote season four, episode one, "The Queen of Sheba".
In a 2020 episode of podcast 'Talking Sopranos', Michael Imperioli proclaimed he was a massive fan of the show.