The first image from the next series of Red Dwarf has been released. 

In the opening episode of Red Dwarf XII in question, the rest of the crew are turned into mechanoids just like Kryten, which necessitated many hours in makeup for the whole cast. Pictured clockwise from top are Craig Charles, Robert Llewellyn, Danny John-Jules, Chris Barrie).

Robert Llewellyn, who has played Kryten for 28 years said: "It was just the weirdest thing, they were absolutely them but they were all mechanoid versions of them, there’s no way of describing it." 

Danny John-Jules (The Cat) added: "It was quite disturbing. The thing was we could only see your eyes, scary it actually looks like you in the mask. We ended up in the scenes, kind of staring at each other. The problem was, the sweat sort of collects under the mask but outside it was about -5 degrees, so we’d run out to get fresh air and then nearly die of pneumonia!"

Craig Charles (Lister): "It was so uncomfortable, so hot, I thought I was crying at one point but I wasn’t, I was sweating through my eyes! Chris (Barrie) got ill wearing it. We had a whole new respect for Rob. Yeah, I thought just get on with it, you wuss. 28 years of guilt, of calling him a big wuss. We literally went out bowing to (Rob), because it was amazing."

Chris Barrie (Rimmer): "It was brilliant in the morning, wasn’t it, but over lunch, sitting in it and waiting is always the hardest  bit. When you’re working I’m not bothered about it, but when you’re having to wait, and you’re in the mask and you can’t do anything, you’re thinking ‘is this going to come off?!’: 

Red Dwarf XII starts on Dave in the Autumn.

picture: UKTV