Richard Curtis sent Sir Tony Robinson the script for the new 'Blackadder' sketch as an apology.
Sir Tony Robinson has opened up on the new Blackadder sketch
The 76-year-old actor will reprise his role as hapless Baldrick for Comic Relief, and he found out after the sitcom's creator had to suddenly rush home for dinner with his wife while they were catching up at a showbiz party.
Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, Tony recalled: "The next morning I had a fulsomely apologetic email from Richard saying: 'Sorry I couldn't stay. There was a chicken in the oven.
"'I've just written a story for Baldrick - how would you feel about performing this on Comic Relief?'
"I read it and texted him back, 'Try and stop me.' "
Tony is excited for fans to see the new sketch, although he has played down the idea of a full blown revival.
He explained: "Everyone's always said if we made another series, however good it was, people wouldn't be in the same headspace they were when they saw the original. We couldn't re-create it."
Although Richard previously suggested the sketch will take place without his co-creator Rowan Atkinson - who played the titular character Edmund Blackadder - Tony recently insisted Rowan "always contributes to Comic Relief".
He said: "This just happens to be a script for Baldrick but Rowan always contributes to Comic Relief. I am sure he will be there in some form or another."
Last month, Richard confirmed the show would be back for the Comic Relief sketch.
He said: "For the first time in 20 years, Baldrick is going to be giving some kind of performance.
"We're just conspiring about it now, so I think there's going to be a marvellous, turnip-based thing with Tony Robinson now back in action, so I'm excited about that."
Asked if Rowan is going to be in the Comic Relief special, Richard laughed: "No. Rowan's far too serious to do any of that."
'Blackadder' originally ran for four series and two specials from 1983 to 1989, and another special 'Blackadder: Back and Forth' aired in 1999.
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