Cold Feet revival to tackle the stigma surrounding male depression

John Thomson's character Pete will portray the personal experiences of writer Mike Bullen

Cold Feet will return for an eight-part series in September after originally ending in 2003 (ITV)

Cold Feet writer Mike Bullen is set to tackle male depression in the comedy’s upcoming reboot.

Bullen suffered from depression himself after the show ended in 2003 and wants to share his experiences with fans now that it is being revived by ITV after 13 years off air.

“I’d be asked to write something, I’d deliver it and then I’d get these disappointed responses from TV companies saying, ‘But this isn’t Cold Feet, is it?’” he told the Daily Mail. “I went through a depression. I couldn’t get off my couch. I want to talk about depression in men in the new series as it is something that isn’t explored in drama.”

Cold Feet is set to return to living rooms later this year with James Nesbitt reprising his role as womaniser Adam Williams. He will be joined by Fay Ripley, Robert Bathurst, Hermione Norris and John Thomson for a new eight-part run in the popular Sunday night slot formerly occupied by hit period drama Downton Abbey.

Thomson’s character Pete Gifford will present Bullen’s personal experiences on screen as he struggles with chronic depression.

Helen Baxendale will not be returning after her character Rachel Bradley died in a car crash last series. She said earlier this year that she rejected the opportunity to reprise the role as a ghost because it “didn’t feel right” as the series was “based on believing the reality of the characters”.

Cold Feet will start in the present day with each now middle-aged character having moved on significantly. Adam will be busy trying to reconnect with his teenage son after spending time travelling, Jenny has reunited with Pete and Karen and David are still divorced.

Cold Feet returns next month with an exact air date yet to be announced.