Ability recommissioned after Britain's Got Talent victory

Radio 4 has commissioned a second series of  Lost Voice Guy’s sitcom Ability.

The news comes just days after the comic, whose real name is Lee Ridley, won Britain’s Got Talent.

The semi-autobiographical sitcom is about 25-year-old Matt, who, like Ridley, has cerebral palsy and can only speak using an app on his tablet. 

Producer Jane Berthoud said: ‘It’s been brilliant seeing Lee's well-deserved success over the last few weeks, though it’s not surprising how much he has touched people’s hearts; everyone who heard the first series of Ability will know just how funny, clever, self-deprecating and, at times, poignant Lee’s comedy can be.’

Ridley, who also won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014, co-writes the show with Katherine Jakeaways. He said: ‘I’m delighted to get the opportunity to write another series of Ability. The process of writing and recording the show was fun from start to finish.’

Series one, which aired last month, saw Matt moving into a flat-share with his best mate Jess (Sammy T Dobson), and meeting his new carer Bob, played by Allan Mustafa (People Just Do Nothing).

Radio 4’s comedy commissioning editor Sioned Wiliam added: ‘I’m delighted to commission a second series of Ability. Lee and Katherine have written a sharp and funny sitcom about friendship and family. It offers up new perspectives on disability but is also a corking good comedy about flat-sharing twentysomethings.’

All four episodes of the first series still are available on iPlayer.

• Lost Voice Guy is one of the 28 acts taking part in Chortle's Fast Fringe at the Underbelly on London's South Bank on July 9. Tickets are available here.

Published: 6 Jun 2018