Johnny Vegas blasts BBC decision to axe show

Johnny Vegas has taken a swipe at BBC Three for axing his sitcom Ideal when its audience was at its peak.

Channel controller Zai Bennett pulled the plug on the show this summer, even though its seventh and final series averaged 535,000 viewers – 20 per cent up on the previous run.

At the weekend Vegas collected the accolade for best performance in a comedy at the Royal Television Society North West award for his role as small-time drugs dealer Moz.

And as he collected his gong, he attacked the BBC’s decision.

‘Thank you BBC,’ trade magazine Broadcast reports him sayin. ‘When the numbers have never been higher, you’ve cancelled us.

‘I’m being fired by the man who commissioned Kerry Katona… so I’m proud to do anything else that you’re not involved in.’

Also at the ceremony, The Royle Family special Joe’s Crackers was named best comedy programme.

Published: 21 Nov 2011