It’s 40 years since Douglas Adams’ quintessential sci-fi satire The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy started life as a humble radio show. Over the years, the adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect and Marvin the Paranoid Android have had many incarnations, from books, TV and even film.

How better to celebrate the anniversary than to reassemble the original radio cast for a new series. Simon Jones and Geoffrey McGivern return to voice Arthur and Ford while Ed Byrne, Jim Broadbent and Lenny Henry are on board to voice characters old and new.

The series will use previously unpublished work of Douglas Adams and the plot from the Eion Colfer’s 2008 commissioned 8th novel in the saga… And Another Thing to create a new story for the Hitch Hikers radio broadcast which is helmed by one of the original producers, Dirk Maggs.

The 6-part series airs on Radio Four from the 8th March. Don’t forget to bring your towel.