logo
BBC hit comedy set for return after 18 years - but with a huge twist

BBC hit comedy set for return after 18 years - but with a huge twist

Daily Mirror24-04-2025

The cast of a popular TV and radio series are set for a big reunion after it the BBC show unexpectedly axed over a decade ago - but there is a twist in its return
A popular BBC comedy series is set to make a return after 18 years off air. However, fans won't take in the show in the same way as bosses have announced a big change.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a former BBC Radio 4' show is taking to the road. The multi-award-winning topical satire show Dead Ringers is heading on full UK tour for the first time.

The tour will feature long-standing cast members Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis McLeod, and Duncan Wisbey. It will take its audience on a journey through a quarter century of classic sketches, uncanny impressions, and the cutting-edge political and cultural satire that has defined the series.
While the format's stars have previously performed together on stage shows, including in London and at the Edinburgh Festival, the upcoming tour will be the first of its kind for the show.
The tour will be a tribute to Dead Ringers creator and producer Bill Dare, who died suddenly in March. In a statement Dare's agent JFL Agency confirmed he died, with has spokesperson saying at the time: 'We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas.

'Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill's family and friends who will be devastated by his loss. Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.'
Bill was a legendary figure in radio & TV comedy having also been behind such classic series as The Now Show, Spitting Image, and The Mary Whitehouse Experience.
Now, the Dead Ringers team say they are honoured to hit the road to celebrate his work in this way. Audiences are set to watch the trademark Dead Ringers mix of wit, mischief, and impressions when it hits the road in September.
Before that, the radio show returns in all its topical glory this June on BBC Radio 4 as part of Friday Night Comedy. This tour is a special event and will not be for broadcast.
The TV series of the show was axed in 2009 after seven series. Star Jan Ravens revealed at the time: "It's bizarre, there was no announcement or anything.
"The producer just rang me and said it's not going to be re-commissioned. It would be nice to make an announcement or do a farewell edition of the show."
Jan took on the mimicking roles from characters including Amy Winehouse to Ann Robinson during its nine years on air.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Woke-obsessed BBC would rather hand itself in to cops than air Clarkson's Farm – and that's why terrestrial TV is dying
Woke-obsessed BBC would rather hand itself in to cops than air Clarkson's Farm – and that's why terrestrial TV is dying

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Woke-obsessed BBC would rather hand itself in to cops than air Clarkson's Farm – and that's why terrestrial TV is dying

APPROACHING four hours into the new Clarkson's Farm and not one animal had kicked or butted ­Jeremy in the nuts. A glaring sin of omission as far as most viewers were probably concerned. 5 Clarkson's Farm remains the best thing on TV and one of those incredibly rare shows that can make you smile just through the simple act of pressing 'play' Credit: Prime Video 5 BBC tried to copy Clarkson's Farm with shows like Kelvin's Big Farming Adventure, but has not come close to recreating the magic Credit: ITV Because, in terms of livestock, I think a bull was the only creature who hadn't ­poleaxed Clarkson during...

BBC moves EastEnders tonight in schedule shake-up after Air India crash
BBC moves EastEnders tonight in schedule shake-up after Air India crash

Daily Mirror

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

BBC moves EastEnders tonight in schedule shake-up after Air India crash

The BBC has announced that both The One Show and EastEnders will be moved over to BBC Two in a last minute schedule change as they're replaced by a special on the Air India crash. BBC EastEnders shared in a tweet: "There's a schedule change for tonight's (Thursday 12th) episode of #EastEnders. We'll be on @BBCTwo at 7.30pm." The One Show will also be airing on BBC Two instead, with In its place, BBC One is airing BBC News Special: Air India Plane Crash, where presenter Maryam Moshiri will host special coverage of the tragedy.

I don't want to see David Walliams on TV again after Nazi salutes
I don't want to see David Walliams on TV again after Nazi salutes

Metro

time4 hours ago

  • Metro

I don't want to see David Walliams on TV again after Nazi salutes

I can't believe I'm having to say this, but Nazi salutes are not funny. This week, David Walliams, the comedian once renowned for Little Britain and as a ubiquitous judge on Britain's Got Talent, made two Nazi salutes while filming a comedy show, a Christmas special of Would I Lie To You for the BBC. The story, revealed by The Times, was a wholly humiliating and thoroughly embarrassing act. Call the Midwife actress and Walliams' teammate on the show, Helen George, was telling a tale about spraining her wrist after waving too much on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, before demonstrating the wave. That's when Walliams 'joined in with increasingly vigorous waves, culminating in him holding his arm out in a Nazi salute'. He then repeated it, with a 'sexual twist', essentially mocking its brutal origins. Audience members reportedly gasped, fellow panellists looked uncomfortable, and the host, Rob Brydon, was forced to reprimand him. The BBC has since confirmed the footage will never air, calling the gesture 'completely unacceptable,' and the production company quickly repeated those sentiments. To put it simply: I believe he has crossed a line. So he must be shunned from our screens. Walliams has been treading a tightrope of controversy for decades, with a pattern of behaviour that must ultimately be held to account. His comedy – particularly Little Britain – has been rightly criticised for racist stand-up and blackface. Something once celebrated as being edgy or irreverent now just exists as an embarrassing reminder of how the entertainment business once had so much less to answer for in terms of its power. Both Walliams and Lucas have since apologised for these portrayals, stating they regretted playing 'characters of other races', adding: 'we want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry.' In more recent times, Walliams stepped down from being a judge on Britain's Got Talent after tapes were released in which he made 'disrespectful comments' about contestants on the show. He apologised at the time, explaining they were private conversations that were 'never intended to be shared' but that he was 'sorry' nevertheless. And who can forget, HarperCollins – the publisher of his book, The World's Worst Children – removed a short story about a Chinese character called Brian Wong after accusations of 'casual racism'. As far as I can see, Walliams didn't apologise for this, but the publisher said: 'In consultation with our author and illustrator [Tony Ross] we can confirm that a new story will be written to replace 'Brian Wong'.' Quite a list. So when Walliams does a Nazi salute, even when it was an attempt at humour – a symbol of hate, genocide, and oppression – it isn't just a bad taste and off-colour remark. In my view, it's the record of someone who has repeatedly failed to listen or to know boundaries, after facing repercussions previously. And as far as I can see, he hasn't apologised or even addressed this latest controversy yet. It's not 'cancel culture' – as Walliams himself contended last year, calling it 'exhausting' – no, it's a matter of responsibility. It's about the obligation that comes with having a public voice and the very real consequences of downplaying serious wrongdoings. Bigger picture counts too. Globally, populism on the far-right is increasing, while fascist imagery and language are slowly reasserting themselves in popular culture. So a celebrity performing an offhand Nazi salute – even in what looks like a lighthearted setting and from someone who is not racist – is not an innocent nostalgic gesture or a misguided effort at humour. In my view, it's hate normalisation. In my opinion, Walliams' faux pas are a sure sign that he must be blacklisted on TV. It is not a matter of censoring comedy or stifling free speech, but more of not giving a forum to one who has violated the social line of decency and decorum. The BBC refusing to air the video was right, but not far enough. Walliams must not have access to the same forums that made him famous until he shows genuine accountability and respect to marginalised communities in Britain. It's not a witch hunt or social media outrage-driven over response. It's a call for standards – ones that I believe Walliams has repeatedly fallen short of. By continuing to grant him airtime, broadcasters send the message that his behaviour is acceptable as long as the perpetrator is a big enough name. More Trending Blacklisting David Walliams would be an absolute, necessary step towards sending the message that this kind of behavior is not going to be tolerated. It's about protecting the cultural topography from people who would belittle and hate others. If the BBC and other broadcasters who work with Walliams can commit – if they haven't already – to not including him on TV, radio, or any other media appearances in the future, the world would be much better off. It's about standing together with people who are targeted by these kinds of words and actions. And it's about getting the record straight that being 'funny' is no excuse for causing hurt or being hateful. View More » The time for excuses is over. The show has come to a close. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: The Ballymena riots are nothing to do with protecting women MORE: Brat summer is back: From tennis to the Euros to the Rugby World Cup, just watch as sporting queens go centre stage MORE: Doctor Who fans are convinced the show is dying – but they're wrong

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store