Matt Lucas has denied claims that Little Britain is set for a reboot, despite reports that he and comedy partner David Walliams have reinstated the production company behind the show, Little Britain Ltd.
Responding to claims the series was making a return, Lucas, 52, wrote on X on Friday night: "I don't know where this story has come from but there are no plans to reboot this show."
Show's enduring popularity
The hugely popular show ran on the BBC from 2003 to 2006 and created iconic characters including Vicky 'Yeah, but, no, but' Pollard, wheelchair-bound Andy Pipkin and his carer Lou Todd.
The show has been enjoying a renaissance as old clips from the series have proved hugely popular on social media and introduced the show to an entirely new audience.
Walliams, 55, recently shared how his son Alfred, 13, has been enjoying the jokes with his school friends. He said: "Everyone at his school is talking about it. People are sharing on TikTok. It's a whole new generation discovering it. I think those social media things are great for one or two minute clips."
Past controversies and regrets
While Little Britain is unlikely to return, Lucas and Walliams have their podcast, Making A Scene, and previously joked that they were working together because they had both been cancelled.
In 2020, old episodes of Little Britain were pulled from BBC iPlayer and Netflix, as was Come Fly With Me, another comedy series created and starring Lucas and Walliams. Both outlets cited that 'times have changed' since the series first aired.
The comedians portrayed characters from different ethnic backgrounds, mocked trans people, and were accused of ridiculing the working class.
In 2017, Lucas expressed his regret and said: "If I could go back and do Little Britain again, I wouldn't make those jokes about transvestites. I wouldn't play black characters." He added: "We made a more cruel kind of comedy than I'd do now." Walliams shared how he would "definitely do it differently" in today's cultural landscape.
Career paths and recent developments
At the height of its popularity, Little Britain attracted 9.5 million viewers. It began as a show on Radio 4 before moving to BBC Three, and as the audience grew it landed a coveted spot on BBC One.
Despite enjoying huge success together, the pair stopped working together in 2011 amid reports the friendship became 'strained'. Lucas revealed in his autobiography that things reached a head in 2005 when they had a fight backstage during the Little Britain live tour.
Lucas moved to LA and lived with Rebel Wilson, landing film roles including in Bridesmaids. He later returned to the UK and co-hosted the Great British Bake Off from 2020 to 2023. Meanwhile, Walliams landed a judging role on Britain's Got Talent and wrote children's books.
However, last week his former publisher, HarperCollins, dropped his entire catalogue after previously cutting ties following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women. Walliams strongly denies behaving inappropriately.
