7 Up cast say next instalment of long-running ITV documentary could be their last

'Am I going to be here, are they going to be here?'

Tony Walker, a participant in the 7 Up series (Rex Features)

The cast of the 7 Up series have said the next instalment could be the last.

The documentary series, which offers seven-yearly updates on a select group of people, returns next week for 63 Up.

Three cast members – Sue Davis, Bruce Balden and Tony Walker – spoke to Radio Times about whether they would appear in 70 Up.

“Seven to 70’ has got a good ring,” Walker said. ”[But] you have to look at Michael [Apted, director], who’s now 77.” Walker added that he would take part in another series ”providing all the same crew are still here. We’re not getting any younger though.”

Davis said that the current series could be the ideal place to end: “Personally, I am in a good place but things are going to get worse. You’re going to get sicker and older. Both my parents are with me so I’m thinking, ‘Another seven years, who knows? Am I going to be here, are they going to be here?’

“There’s an element that thinks this would be a good time to finish.”

Lynn Johnson, who appeared alongside Davis in the original 7 UP, died in 2013. All the other original cast members are alive.

One of the cast members, Nick Hitchon, has been diagnosed with cancer. Director Michael Apted said it was “extremely painful” to see someone seriously ill, adding: “We do love them all. It’s a very close family, and you don’t want to hurt people, but we all know we’ve got a job to do. And it’s important.

“No one has ever done this before and no one will ever do it again. We have a very privileged position, so we have to get the best out of it, even if some of it’s horrible and painful.”

63 Up will premiere 4 June on ITV.