UKTV has officially confirmed that Dara Ó Briain will host a new show celebrating the mundane.

Dara’s Dull Appreciation Society will run for four 40-minute episodes, and also feature John Robins, the ‘self-confessed prince of dullness’, as his sidekick.

Chortle has previously reported on the show being piloted and commissioned under the working titles of Britain’s Dullest and Celebrate The Mundane. Today, the broadcaster has confirmed the show's title and that it is coming to U&Dave and its streaming service U next year.

Ó Briain says: ‘The word dull is a lie; this is a show about great passions, dangerous obsessions and lives led with fervour, zeal and all-consuming devotion. But, y’know, for garage forecourts or antique supermarket shopping bags. There is greatness in the mundane.’

Robins added: ‘I can’t wait to grill our members to find out if they have extracted every ounce of pleasure from some of the dullest corners of the world. 

‘As someone who rates service stations based on cleanliness, choice and "vibe", who maintains a Wordle spreadsheet and treats a supermarket shop like a military operation, I’m looking forward to spending time with my tribe!’

The show embraces the ethos of the Dull Men’s Club, an international and largely online group celebrating those who seek an uneventful life. When The Times visited one meeting, they encountered men obsessed with unusual bins, ornamental folly towers and the game of conkers.

In a statement, executive producers Jamie Ormerod and David Williams, from production company Interstellar said: ‘In a world packed with cynicism that seems to spin ever faster, we’re appropriately whelmed to be making a show that slows down to appreciate the simple things in life. Dull is never boring; it’s often surprising, oddly fascinating, and in the hands of Dara Ó Briain, very, very funny too.’

Each episode will feature a panel of comedians who must  ‘decide who cuts the mild mustard, who is thrilling by mistake, and who earns the ultimate accolade each episode: the Golden Fleece’. 

Jason Dawson, who commissioned the show for UKTV, added:  ‘There’s an implicit irony in just how excited we are to be working with Dara, John, and the producers at Interstellar on this joyous show. 

‘Along with the funniest comedians in the country, we’re going to celebrate those eccentric everyday heroes who make the unremarkable truly remarkable and invite viewers to embrace their inner dull.’

Executive producers: David Williams, Jamie Ormerod
Director of production: Sheryl Lacy
Series producer: Mike Rayment
Commissioned by: Jason Dawson, Gerald Casey, Hilary Rosen