Peter Kay has said he did not realise fans would be so upset when the second series of Car Share ended on a cliffhanger.
Viewers were dismayed when the Bafta-winning show wrapped up last year with John (Kay) refusing to say how he felt after Kayleigh (Sian Gibson) finally admitted her true feelings for him.
Fans even set up an online petition demanding a conclusion to the series, which gathered over 100,000 signatures.
A new episode revealing what happens next is now set to air this month.
After waiting so long, the moment is almost here. Not the #RoyalWedding – it's just over a week until the #CarShare finale on Monday 28th. pic.twitter.com/rFk1nXgwYz
— CarShare (@Car_Share_Fan) May 19, 2018
Kay said it is “incredibly flattering” people care so much about the characters, who commute together in a supermarket car share scheme.
“We always knew the second series would end that way and we thought people might be a bit miffed but never thought they would be so devastated,” he said.
“We decided to write another episode that hopefully gave the characters a resolve and I thought, lets hold this back until the repeat of the second series.
“It was hard to keep it a secret after the reaction we got, but we never said that there wouldn’t be any more Car Shares… we just said there wouldn’t be a third series…”
Gibson said it was “crazy” that fans had started a petition for more Car Share but joked she “signed it… twice”.
“You’d never believe that it’d ever have that kind of effect. A petition!” added Kay.
Discussing whether there would ever be another instalment, Gibson teased: “Never say never.”However, regardless of whether they do film more episodes, the duo hinted they would be teaming up for another project.
Asked if they would be working together again, Kay said: “Hopefully.”
“Definitely,” added Gibson.
Peter Kay’s Car Share: The Finale airs on Monday May 28 at 10pm on BBC One.