Frankie 'pursues other projects'

Frankie Boyle has quit Mock The Week.

The BBC has announced that he will be leaving the show after seven series ‘due to other television commitments’.

Series producer Dan Patterson said: ‘Frankie has been a brilliant member of the team since the beginning and the door is always open for him to come back. We wish him all the best with his other projects.’

Two new series of the programme have just been commissioned by BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow.

She said: ‘Mock The Week is a major part of the BBC Two schedule, regularly delivering wit and energy to an enthusiastic audience. This two-series commitment shows just how much we value it.’

Boyle had to pull out of last week's Mock The Week after falling ill just before the recording.

But the 37-year-old now has his eye on his own Channel 4 show, mixing sketches and stand-up, and is recording a pilot episode this autumn.

Boyle has previously announced he plans to quit stand-up, too, because he thinks most comedians are rubbish once they hit 40.

Published: 2 Oct 2009