Television revivals can be a risky proposition, particularly if the resuscitation is performed on a fondly remembered, era-defining hit that spawned five seasons, countless awards and many a high-profile career.

Cold Feet began almost 20 years ago in the UK -  a lifetime in pop culture years - at the height of Cool Britannia and in the pre-hashtag era of 'water-cooler' TV, when you had to wait til you got to work the next day to talk about the previous night's viewing. Created (and largely written) by screenwriter Mike Bullen, who drew on his own life experiences, the program's "dramedy" style was pioneering for its time, intertwining comedy with serious life issues and using pop music of the day.

Focusing on the lives of three couples, the show became a massive hit in the UK, eventually broadcast in more than 34 countries (and remade for American audiences), was the subject of many an analytical think-piece and merchandise, soundtrack albums and even spin-off books.

There was Adam (James Nesbitt) and Rachel (Helen Baxendale), a new couple, Adam's friend Pete (John Thompson) and Jenny (Fay Ripley), married with a newborn, and a rocky road ahead of them, and Karen (Hermione Norris) and David (Robert Bathurst), the slightly posher friends, with slightly posher domestic problems of their own. There was adultery, struggles with family life, economic woes and even testicular cancer, and 'the gang' became a loved part of the television landscape.

But after five series, Bullen felt it was time to retire his 30-something characters, going out on a bittersweet high with the shocking death of favourite Rachel in an episode that drew almost 10 million viewers (still an extraordinary number today) in 2003, leaving fans across the nation weeping - and, unimaginably today, unable to tweet about it.

Bullen had apparently been approached over the years by ITV to revive the gang, but until recently hadn't felt it was the time. Now, 14 years later, with the characters grappling with more middle-aged concerns, he finally felt he had something new to say.

And so, 14 years after Rachel's death, Adam, who has been working around the world, is coming home from Singapore to Manchester (looking more stylish than ever), to announce to the gang - all now nudging 50 - and son Matt (Ceallach Spellman), 15 and getting into trouble at boarding school, that he's getting married. To Angela, (Karen David), a woman 18 years his junior. Cue much hand-wringing from Kate and Jenny, convinced he's making a mistake. Back home, Adam finds things have changed; best mate Pete is struggling financially, working two jobs to keep afloat, and David, who married his divorce lawyer Robyn (Lucy Robinson), is unhappy in his marriage.

It sounds grim but, just as it always was, there's wit in the misery, and while everyone's older, they're not, it seems, necessarily wiser - which is how we like this flawed, relatable gang. The soundtrack might be different (less Portishead this time around), but the life and social issues are the same - it's just that the crises are very much of the post-children, post-career high variety. It might not draw in new viewers, but fans of the original groundbreaking series will feel right at home.