BBC Three renews Widdicombe's comedy

BBC Three has commissioned a third series of Josh.

Six new episodes of comic Josh Widdicombe’s show will return next year.

Elis James and Beattie Edmondson will return as his flatmates Owen and Kate, and Jack Dee as annoying landlord Geoff.

The second series has averaged more than 500,000 requests on iPlayer, with the Friday night airing on BBC One regularly achieved audiences of over 1 million. The last episode of the current run airs on the flagship channel at 11.25pm tonight.

Widdicombe said: ‘I am delighted that the BBC has given me another opportunity to humiliate myself for six 30 minute episodes. We absolutely loved every moment of creating the second series and are so proud that so many people enjoyed it. My only hope for series 3 is the British public get to enjoy Elis James's wonderful torso again.’

Shane Allen, the BBC’s controller of comedy commissioning, ordered the new series. He said: ‘Josh’s star keeps rising and this series has proven hugely popular with the audience on both BBC Three and One with its terrific core ensemble and very inventive writing. Long may his misfortunes continue to give us all enormous pleasure. ‘

Josh is written by Widdicombe along with Tom Craine and Henry Paker and is directed by David Schneider. Guest stars throughout the two series have included; Jennifer Saunders, Michael Ball, Miles Jupp, Emma Bunton, Tamzin Outhwaite, Romesh Ranganathan, The Chuckle Brothers and James Acaster.

Published: 4 Nov 2016