Not Going Out to return for series 14

Lee Mack: 'I’m very grateful the BBC have trusted in us to keep alive the studio sitcom'

Lee Mack’s Not Going Out will return for a new series next year, the BBC has announced.

News of the new six-episode season – the 14th - comes after the 100^th episode aired last Christmas.

At the time, Mack said no new episodes had been ordered, saying: ‘I’d love to do more. I love doing it. It's great fun and I love the cast. But it’s not always my decision. You just wait for someone to say, "Here’s a bag of money get on with it".’

Now Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, has confirmed the show’s return at the BBC Festival Of Comedy in Glasgow today.

He said: ‘Not Going Out remains one of the UK’s most cherished sitcoms, a true testament to the exceptional comedic talents of Lee and his team. The show’s consistent success and popularity speak volumes, and we are beyond chuffed about its return.’

And Mack added: ‘Once again I’m very grateful that the BBC have trusted in us to keep alive the studio sitcom. I grew up watching this genre of sitcom on the BBC, and to be part of it myself is still a dream come true, even after 18 years of doing it. Here we go again…’

Not Going Out is the UK’s longest running UK sitcom currently on air and the fifth of all time in terms of the number of episodes.

Top 5 sitcoms in number of episodes. Last Of Teh Summer Wine at No1

It continues to be popular with viewers, with the last Christmas Special attracting 4.6 million viewers. And it was the second most-watched comedy on iPlayer in the last 12 months after Ghosts.

The sitcom also stars and Sally Bretton as Lucy and over the 13 series regular cast have included: Bobby Ball, Abigail Cruttenden, Hugh Dennis, Megan Dodds, Deborah Grant, Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Timothy West, Geoffrey Whitehead and Katy Wix.

Jon Thoday, executive producer at programme-makers Avalon, added: ‘We are delighted to see the BBC keep the fire of the studio sitcom alive and it is a privilege to work with Lee Mack, who is a true master of his craft, as well as the excellent team on the show.’

Not Going Out production credits

Made by: Avalon
Writers: Lee Mack and Daniel Peak
Producer: Jamie Rix
Director: Nick Wood
Executive producers: Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, Lee Mack and Jon Thoday.
Commissioned by: Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC
Commissioning editor: Gregor Sharp

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Published: 23 May 2024