No more scores from George Dawes

Matt Lucas has quit BBC2 quiz Shooting Stars after 15 years.

He says he is too busy working on a new show with Little Britain co-star David Walliams to keep scores as ‘giant baby’ George Dawes in the new series, due on air later this year.

Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer revived the show after a seven-year absence last year.

The 36-year-old comic said: ‘Because I'm busy writing a new series for the BBC with David, I won't be able to be in Shooting Stars this time. It's the first time in six series that I can't be in it, and I'm obviously sad.

‘I love being on the show and love working with Vic and Bob and the whole team but I just couldn't fit everything in this time, because we'll be right in the middle of rehearsals and rewrites. Of course I'll be watching, and I hope we can all do something together again soon.’

It is unclear whether Matt will be replaced, but team captains Ulrika Jonsson and Jack Dee will return for the six new episodes, alongside regular Angelos Epithemiou, the oddball burger van owner played by Dan Skinner.

Mortimer said: ‘We are really looking forward to the new series. We remain determined to try and cheer Jack up, we can't wait to see what Ulrika's going to look like once the surgeon has finally finished tinkering with her and we both hope Angelos is just going to turn up on time.’

Published: 8 Mar 2010