Plans for third series - and UK tour

The news comes amid talk that the New Zealand folk duo will tour the UK later this year or early next.

Clement and McKenzie admitted that writing enough new songs for the second series had proved hard after using up all their previous material in the first 12-part series.

But although McKenzie has said the second series, which ended in the US last week, was ‘enough’ – the broadcaster says the cult comedy is not over yet.

Executive Michael Lombardo told TV trade website Broadcastnow: ‘They are serious musicians and it is a daunting task to write so many new songs, especially since their used their entire repertoire in season one. But they are taking a break before going on a live tour and I fully expect them to be back in late 2010 or early 2011.’

The duo’s six-week US tour begins next week, and they are tentatively planning to visit Britain for a series of gigs later this year or sometime in 2010, although nothing has been finalised.

Series two of the HBO show will air on BBC Four this spring

Meanwhile, the duo played a benefit concert at Clement's former high school, Makoura College in Masterson, New Zealand, which is facing closuse as pupil numbers fall.

The gig on Tuesday night raised almost £30,000 and Clement said it was an honour to play a venue where, as a child, he was taken to watch the Golden Shears sheep shearing competition.

Published: 2 Apr 2009