Dawn French will step back into character as the Vicar of Dibley to offer an alternative Thought for the Day as part of a series of special programmes on BBC Radio 4.

Her slot on the Today programme on 29 March is part of the station's study of fictional characters which includes Springwatch's Chris Packham going to New York on the trail of Big Bird from Sesame Street – and a reunion of the original cast of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for a special performance.

French played Reverend Geraldine Granger in Richard Curtis's popular BBC One sitcom from 1994 to 2007.

She played the role last year as part of a French and Saunders series on BBC Radio 2, where she was interviewed by Chris Evans for his Pause for Thought slot.

The Vicar of Dibley is set in a fictional village, which is given a female vicar following the 1992 changes in the Church of England that allowed the ordination of women.

Although the main character was the invention of Curtis, he and French consulted the Rev Joy Carroll who was one of Britain's first female priests.

Other Radio 4 shows on Saturday 29 March include bestselling authors Hilary Mantel and Helen Fielding discussing fictional characters and actor Maxine Peake talking to stars including Sally Hawkins and Michael Sheen.

The original cast of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will reunite for a special performance, broadcast live from the BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House.

Led by Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, they will be bringing to life the characters created for them by Douglas Adams in highlights from the entire Hitchhiker's saga. They are joined on stage by Douglas's long-time collaborator and sometime flatmate, John Lloyd.

BBC drama venues around the country will also open their doors, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at shows such as The Archers and Doctor Who.