Latest news with #Piglets
Metro
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘Highly offensive' ITV show set for second series despite police backlash
A 'highly offensive' ITV comedy show is set to return for a second series despite receiving backlash from the police. Piglets, which follows a group of new police recruits as they train, will officially be returning to our screens. Starring Superintendents Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and Julie Spry (Sarah Parish), the show originally caused huge controversy. The Police Federation of England and Wales described the show's title – which is based on the slang term 'pig' for police – as being 'highly offensive'. It also received a number of Ofcom complaints from viewers when it aired. Now, however, after pulling in 5.6million views for its six episodes, the show is heading for a second outing. Both Mark and Sarah will reprise their roles as Bob and Julie, as Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay and Jamie Bisping will also all feature. Joining the cast will also be Madelyn Smedlyn, who featured in series 2 of The Traitors on BBC. In a statement, Nana Hughes, ITV's Head of Comedy, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV.' This comes after it was revealed that a 'ridiculous' TV show that never aired in the UK due to the October 7 attack will finally be released two years on. In September 2023, the Australian series C*A*U*G*H*T was released. The six-part series followed four Australian soldiers trapped after a secret mission to the war-torn Behati-Prinsloo, where they are mistaken for American spies and have no way home after their government abandons them. In a press release, the broadcaster shared the show's synopsis, adding that it 'unapologetically pokes fun at modern celebrity culture, social media and 24-hour news while exploring the often outrageous price of fame'. After watching the show, many fans weighed in. More Trending 'Acting and scripting is perfect for a slapstick comedy such as this,' Rohan posted on IMDB. 'If you are easily offended or shocked this is probably not for you. On one level it is silly crude slapstick, but there are lots of little clever jokes hidden away,' rijobe shared. 'Don't be a snob and go into this thinking it is full of great performances and amazing storylines. That is not what it is trying to be. It's a crazy Aussie fever dream and is not trying to be anything else,' Suzie wrote. View More » Piglets will be available to watch on ITV. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Lorraine viewers annoyed by 'more irritating than normal' interview MORE: ITV confirms 2025's Britain's Got Talent live final will be longer than most movies MORE: I'm addicted to David Tennant's 'impossible' game show – despite its critics
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Controversial ITV comedy to return as Traitors star joins cast
ITV has revealed that its controversial sitcom Piglets will be back on our screens after making its debut last year despite backlash about its 'offensive' title ITV has announced the return of its police sitcom Piglets, with one particular Traitors star set to join the cast. The comedy follows a group of police recruits as they begin training under the leadership of hopeless Superintendent Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and ambitious Superintendent Julie Spry (Sarah Parish). The series proved to be controversial ahead of its launch in July last year, with the Police Federation of England and Wales calling it "highly offensive" over its title. The group described the show's title - based on the slang term for police which is 'pig' - as "insulting" and "inflammatory" at the time. The show is set to return for a second series however after reaching 5.6 million views across its six episodes since launching. Sarah Parish and Mark Heap will reprise their roles alongside Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay, Jamie Bisping and Sukh Kaur Ojla. Meanwhile, Traitors star Madelyn Smedlyn will be joining the cast as new trainee Danni alongside Game of Thrones star Kerr Logan - who also has a connection to the BBC show. While Madelyn competed on the first series of The Traitors, Kerr's mum Diane Carson was one of the standout stars of the second series. ITV 's Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes, said in a statement: "We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV." While creator Victoria Pile added: "We're delighted ITV have given us the chance to explore the latest antics of our talented would-be cops!" The news follows ITV's latest cuts to its daytime staff, with over 220 employees reportedly set to lose their jobs out of 500 working on Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. ITV announced this week that Good Morning Britain will be produced by ITN - ITV's news provider - from next year with only 38 of the 113 staff being kept on. Meanwhile, Lorraine will only air for 30 weeks of the year, with its running time being slashed in half from 60 minutes to half an hour. GMB will instead be extended by an extra hour during the weeks when Lorraine is not on air. Insiders recently revealed to The Mirror that the cuts may lead to Lorraine Kelly quitting the show altogether, with the new schedule a "kick in the teeth" for the star.
