The raucous chat show has been attracting audience of around 2.5million to its Saturday-night slot, as well as critical praise.

Many reviewers have praised it for providing a comedy hit for ITV, which has traditionally struggled with the genre.

The Observer has said of the show ‘Murray has reinvented the chatshow. At last, a resounding success for ITV. Light entertainment with brains,’ while The People’s Garry Bushell credited it for ‘making ITV funny again’.

Richard Allen-Turner of producers Avalon said: 'I am delighted with ITV's commitment to Al Murray. It demonstrates that it is possible to deliver broad, high end comedy entertainment programming to the mainstream schedule of a commercial network with a strong, original idea without compromising the integrity of the performer.'

Duncan Gray, ITV's controller added: 'Al Murray's Happy Hour is laugh-out-loud funny. We are thrilled with the response from the creative community and are very glad to be bringing the show back for a second series.'