Rowan Atkinson has turned down the chance to participate in a new TV show which would reunite him with all his former Blackadder co-stars.

The show is being made by UKTV and will be titled: Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga and Blackadder’s Most Cunning Moments.

The show’s writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis have agreed to take part, as have actors Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Miranda Richardson.

A show insider is quoted as saying: “It was a shame that Rowan wouldn’t join appear on the reunion shows as all his friends were delighted to join us. But he sent his apologies. Rowan is very private, he doesn’t do interviews and he rarely makes public appearances.”