IT’S Britain’s second longest-running sitcom, still reeling in millions of viewers as work begins on its thirteenth series.
But creator Lee Mack has revealed that the future of Not Going Out is in doubt.
The comedian, who plays a fictionalised version of himself in the BBC show, is due to begin writing the new series next month.
But he told me: “We’ll have reached 100 episodes by the time we’ve finished this latest series and - as I am quite obsessive about numbers - that could be a nice, round number to end on.
“Either that or we go on until we’ve reached 200!”
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Not Going Out has followed layabout Lee’s misadventures since 2006 and has hit peaks of over six millions viewers.
The programme’s long haul makes it second to only Last Of The Summer Wine, which went on for 295 episodes.
Over the years it has starred everyone from Hugh Dennis and Megan Dodds to Miranda Hart, Tim Vine and Bobby Ball.
Reflecting on its success in 2018, Lee said: “Everyone told me that British sitcom was dead.
“Then I looked at Seinfeld and Frasier and thought, ‘No it’s not, it just needs more gags.’”
He also claims not to be obsessed about viewing figures.
Lee, who famously writes the script sat in his garden shed, added in the interview with Radio Times: “If someone said to me you can do the show for the next ten years at midnight – in other words, fewer people will be watching, but we guarantee its longevity – I’d probably say yes.
“Because what I’m bothered about is creating it. I love creating it.”
Long-running co-star Sally Bretton, who plays Lucy, said she thought the show would last “for as long as Lee can bear to go and sit in that shed”.
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NEXT JOB FOR TILLY
IF anyone can handle the pressure of Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen it’s his daughter Tilly.
I can reveal the sweary food show boss will unveil her as his surprise guest on this week’s Next Level Chef.
And I’ve no doubt the nine people taking on Gordon’s newest culinary challenge will appreciate Tilly’s advice on how to handle a put down or two.
After all, she has grown up with him, as well as faced down scary Craig Revel Horwood in the intense Strictly ballroom.
Tune in to see sparks fly this Wednesday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
ALI & JOSIE’S SNOW BALL
WHO doesn’t want to see this pair out on the piste?
Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson have taken to the slopes in a mini travel series for This Morning.
The best friends headed to La Plagne ski resort in France for some wintry fun.
Josie told me: “Me and Alison had the best time filming on the slopes. What a blast that was.
“We’ve filmed a new series for This Morning and I got to celebrate my birthday there with her too, which was amazing. I am so lucky.”
A This Morning source added: “Travel series are always enjoyed by viewers of This Morning.
“If you throw in presenters like Alison and Josie together, it’s sure to be a hit.”
Alison And Josie Go Off-Piste starts this Thursday from 10am on This Morning on ITV1 and ITVX.
JUNGLE SCHOOL ED MASTER
CHANNEL 4 is making a show aimed at helping parents bond better with their children, and taking a leaf out of I’m A Celebrity’s book.
New six-part documentary King Of The Jungle follows TV adventurer Ed Stafford to Costa Rica, where he will set up a “survival school” for modern dads and their children.
The former Army captain is even shipping out his wife Laura and their three young children to join him.
The aim is to discover what it means to be a father by putting families through the toughest outdoor experiences on the planet.
Ed said: “Increasingly, the odds are stacked against you as a parent.
“You find yourself having to swim against the tide to do what’s best for your kids. For me, connection is everything.
“This isn’t about parenting techniques, that stuff is instinctive.
“It is an extreme fast track to a deeper connection between dads and their children in a modern world where that is more tenuous and harder to achieve than ever.”
MAYA’S A KERB CROCK
LOVE Island host Maya Jama has revealed a previous hosting job left her in a wheelchair after she fell off a kerb.
Maya, still plagued by the injury from Cyprus, told Pretty Little Thing’s Behind Closed Doors podcast: “I went to Ayia Napa when I was 17 to host Charlie Sloth’s show Fire In The Booth.
“But the day before the actual beach party thing we were supposed to be hosting, I ended up slipping on a bit of mashed-up kerb.
“The bottom of my foot was hanging off. I had to be in hospital for two days and ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of the time.
“I ripped a nerve and couldn’t feel it.”
