Little Britain's return ticket

BBC One confirms broadcast of US series

The BBC has confirmed that the American version of Little Britain will be screened on BBC One this autumn.

Little Britain USA has been filmed entirely in the States for the HBO network, the series features both old and new characters from Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

Returning favourites include gay Dafydd Thomas, transvestite Emily Howard, Lou and Andy, Fat Fighter Marjorie Dawes, Vicky Pollard, and Harvey who still craves his mother's ‘bitty’.

Among the new characters on the show are Bing Gordyn, the eighth astronaut to go to the moon; Phyllis, who is powerless to ignore suggestions from the manipulative and dangerous Mr Doggy, her King Charles spaniel; Mark and Tom, hyper-masculine gym buddies; Mildred, who shares wildly inappropriate secrets from her shocking past with her grandson Connor; and Ellie-Grace, a frilly little girl.

The series launches in the US on September 28 and will feature several cameo performances, from the likes of Rosie O'Donnell and Sting. The live studio segments were directed by Friends star David Schwimmer.

Executive producer Simon Fuller said: ‘Little Britain USA is a show we made for HBO, however we always had in mind our British audience and hope everyone enjoys the new characters as much as they do the familiar ones.

‘I am happy to continue Little Britain's special relationship with the BBC. I am proud at the same time to introduce them to an American audience. The anticipation for the new shows has been quite remarkable.’

BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: ‘I am delighted Matt and Dave will be back on BBC One this autumn with a new series. Little Britain USA is brilliantly observed and has some fantastic new characters for the audience to enjoy.’

Here are the first clips from the new series, as first featured on Chortle last week.