Outnumbered star signs up for epic new Channel 4 travel series ahead of hit BBC sitcom’s return
AN Outnumbered star is teaming up with David Baddiel for a new Channel 4 travelogue.
Fans of the hit BBC sitcom were left thrilled earlier this year when it was revealed the show would be returning for a long-awaited Christmas Special.
And now, Hugh Dennis has joined forces with fellow funnyman David for a new travelogue on Channel 4.
The pair used to work on The Mary Whitehouse Experience back in 1990 alongside Rod Newman and Steve Punt.
Now they will be getting together for a very different reason, to cycle across France, with Hugh on his reliable bicycle and David on an E-Bike.
Speaking on ITV‘s Lorraine, David said: “I love [Hugh Dennis] and he asked me to cycle across France for this show for Channel 4.
“I said ‘well, you’re a proper cyclist, he’s cycled in the Alps, he’s done half of the Tour de France. I do not do that, look at me. So I said I’d do it on my E-Bike.
” He’s on a big racer with all the gear, I’m basically looking like this on my E-Bike and we’re cycling across France.”
David said he had a right laugh making it with his old buddy, joking: “Mainly, my bottom is alright.
“I didn’t know this, because basically I’ve only ever cycled into town from my house, which is not a long way, the thing that hurts is not your legs but your bum.”
Along the way they will be reunited with co-stars from The Mary Whitehouse Experience.
David teased: “See if you can spot Steve Punt and Rob Newman.”, when posting about the series last week on social media.
Producers Strawberry Blonde, who previously made The Great British Dig for Channel 4, are behind the programme, which is still untitled.
The series will air next year, but before that Hugh will return to Outnumbered in this year’s Christmas special.
He stars in it with Sue Skinner, who plays his on screen wife, and whom he is in a relationship with in real life.
The show will see them once again play Pete and Sue Brockman, now parenting kids who are now grown adults.
The original child stars Tyler Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Romona Marquez reprise their roles as fully grown adults.
Outnumbered ran between 2007 and 2014 and the cast reunited for a Christmas special in 2018.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.