...but only for a one-off

Channel 4 has commissioned a one-off 90-minute episode of Green Wing – fuelling fears the hospital comedy will not return for a third series.

The feature-length special is likely to tie up plot ends that fans might otherwise hope would have developed in a new season. But that is looking increasingly unlikely, as the large ensemble cast, and creator Victoria Pile, move on to other projects.

A spokeswoman for Pile has told trade newspaper Broadcast that a Green Wing special will air later this year, adding: ‘Beyond that we’ll wait and see.’

Despite the critical acclaim of the first series, the second run earlier this year could not attract audiences to match the hype, with a heavy promotional campaign only bringing in ratings of around 1.8 million.

An online petition calling for the series to return has attracted more than 1,500 signatures – slightly fewer than a campaign to bring WWE wrestling to Flemish television.

Channel 4 confirmed the one-off had been commissioned to air later this year.

• Richard Ayoade’s new spoof chat show, Man To Man With Dean Learner, will form part of Channel 4’s Friday night line-up later this year – although no date has yet been set. In the six-part Avalon series, IT Crowd star Ayoade plays an  international playboy interviewing a range of showbiz figures, all played by his Garth Marenghi co-creator,  Matthew Holness.

Published: 15 Jun 2006