...as will The Job Lot, says ITV boss

ITV sitcoms Vicious and The Job Lot will both return for second series.

However The Job Lot, which starred Russell Tovey and Sarah Hadland as job centre workers, will move to ITV2, the company’s director of television, Peter Fincham has announced.

The two shows launched in April as part of a new drive to put comedy back on ITV, but met with mixed critical reaction.  

Vicious, which stars Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as an ageing gay couple, was accused of being out of date and – at worst – peddling offensive stereotypes of homosexual men.

The broadcaster also confirmed the return of Plebs, as previously reported by Chortle in June.

ITV's director of entertainment and comedy, Elaine Bedell, said: ‘We’re pleased to be continuing our push in scripted comedy and to have a developing raft of shows, across ITV.’

And director of digital channels Angela Jain said of Plebs and The Job Lot: ‘Both shows have incredible talent on and off screen and are an important part of ITV2's on-going commitment to comedy.’ 

The news of the recommissions was announced at the Edinburgh International TV Festival.

Published: 23 Aug 2013