THE future of a smash-hit BBC comedy has finally been revealed – after 18 years on air.
Lee Mack has written and starred in sitcom Not Going Out since it launched in 2006.
Also starring Beyond Paradise‘s Sally Bretton as Lucy, a total of 13 series have aired to date.
The multi-award winning programme will be returning for series 14 later this year.
Meanwhile, Lee said: “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….!!”
It comes as the comedian previously admitted it is “not his decision” regarding whether the show airs.
Despite Not Going Out hitting its landmark 100th episode during Christmas 2023, it was absent from screens in 2024.
Lee has also had a busy schedule over the past number of years with the likes of Would I Lie To You? and The 1% Club.
Speaking last year, he revealed what was ahead in his calendar: “More 1% Club, more Would I Lie to You? and, for the first year in a long time, I won’t be doing Not Going Out.
“If we do bring it back, we’re looking at early 2025.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”The 1% Club seriously divides viewers over ‘incorrect’ answer – but would you get it right?” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368194340112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He added: “We’re talking about it now. I’d love to do more, I love doing it, it’s great fun, I love the cast but […] it’s not always my decision, these things.
“I just wait for someone to say, ‘There’s a bag of money, get on with it’.”
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D105763%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]The long-running show sees Lee portray a fictionalised version of himself.
It has since gone on to become Britain’s second longest-ever sitcom.
Tim Vine, Miranda Hart, Hugh Dennis and the late Bobby Ball are among the stars who’ve featured throughout its run.
New episodes will record on Friday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th March, plus 4th and 11th April 2025 at Pinewood Studios.
Past episodes of Not Going Out are available to watch on iPlayer.
