Mammoth, the Welsh comedy about a PE teacher from the 70s who gets a second chance at life, will return for a third series it was announced at the BBC comedy festival in Liverpool today..

The new five-part series, set and filmed in and around Cardiff, sees Mike Bubbins’ creation continuing to try to acclimatise to the modern world, having been frozen in time for the best part of 50 years.

Also returning for series three are Sian Gibson as his daughter Mel, Joel Davison, as Mel’s son Theo, and Joseph Marcell s Mammoth’s long-suffering best friend Roger.

Bubbins said: ‘I can’t wait for people to see the next adventures in the life of Tony Mammoth. He’s back funnier, bolder, and dafter than ever. 

‘When I first came up with the idea, I didn’t dream that in a few years it would be back for a third series. It’s once again been a lot of hard work for me, Paul Doolan and Luke Mason [his co-writers], although when the three of us spend our days in a room together laughing, I’m reminded that it’s not exactly the same sort of hard work that my grandad did toiling away as a coal miner for 50 years. Although, in fairness, we have both never won a Bafta. '

Josh Cole, from programme-makers BBC Studios, said: ‘We’re delighted to be delving deeper into Mammoth without leaning too far into the traumatic decades he spent frozen alive in the ice. We’re so proud of this show: a big, bold, laugh-out-loud creation from a unique voice.’

And Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, added: ‘Mike Bubbins and the team have made something that feels completely its own. Warm, daft, joyful and full of heart. 

‘Audiences have really taken Tony Mammoth and his ridiculous misadventures to their hearts too, and we’re very proud to keep backing such brilliant original comedy from Wales.’

Filming on the new episodes will start in Wales this year.