Comedy Vehicle is back... from 2014

The BBC has ordered two more series of Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - but fans will have to wait two more years.

Executive producer Armando Iannucci broke the news on Twitter. In response to a fan’s question, he tweeted: ‘Yes! The BBC have commissioned 2 more series.’

The BBC confirmed the news this lunchtime, saying that two more six-episode runs will air in 2014 and 2015.

BBC comedy commissioner Cheryl Taylor said: ‘Stewart has established himself as one of the most respected and revered comedians on the circuit and we couldn't be more thrilled to confirm that he will be driving two more series of his Comedy Vehicle around BBC Two.’

Mark Freeland, head of the BBC’s in-house comedy department which makes the show added: ‘How brilliant that BBC Two has given Stewart Lee two more series. It's reward for a unique, perfectionist, hardworking, bit scary comedy master and the wonderful team behind him. I'm standing by with my compliance forms.’

Stewart Lee said: “I am delighted to be returning to BBC Two, TV's historic home of smart-ass comedy, for two more series, with the same multi-gong-grabbing team as before.

‘I can't really believe this opportunity has been presented to me, and I certainly wasn't expecting it. I hope to repay this unprecedented act of blind faith by donning my too tight jacket to hone another six hours of densely irritating stand-up over the next four years, spliced with aggressive Armando grillings and obtuse filmic codas.

‘It will be amazing to be able to move forward and experiment in this unprecedentedly secure position. Thanks to everyone out there who watched the series, wrote about them, or lobbied for their return. I will make you proud. Peace! I'm outta here! You shoulda killed me last year!’

The DVD of the second series won a Chortle Award this week, while the show won two British Comedy Awards in December, which Lee admits he found ‘very confusing’.

The first BBC Two series averaged just under 1million viewers at10pm, but the second was moved to a post-Newsnight 11.20pm slot, where channel controller Janice Hadlow wanted more experimental programming.

The news of the recommission comes the day after Chortle reported that the second series of Fist Of Fun, the Nineties TV series Lee made with Richard Herring, would be released on DVD after the first turned a profit.

Published: 23 Mar 2012