Last of the Summer Wine (series 4) 4 was released by Universal Playback in July 2004. In addition, "Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 1977" has been released on 9 September 2008 in Region 1 and included all episodes from the fourth series including a rare 1977 interview with Roy Clarke. Last of the Summer Wine (series 4) Last of the Summer Wine's fourth series originally aired on BBC1 between 9 November 1977 and 4 January 1978. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Sydney Lotterby. The fourth series was released on DVD in region 2 as a combined
Last of the Summer Wine before departing again the same year. Bell then returned to the show beginning with the 1983 Christmas special and produced and directed all episodes of the show to the end of the 31st series. In 2008, Bell announced that he had quit as producer of "Last of the Summer Wine". Citing differences with the BBC and his dislike of their indifference towards the series, Bell said, "I have now decided I will not do it again. I have had enough of the BBC's attitude." The announcement came following rumours initiated by Bell that the network would not commission another series