Not Going Out becomes Britain's third longest running TV sitcom
Not Going Out begins its thirteenth series tonight, and - as a result - moves into third place in the list of British TV sitcoms ordered by the number of series they have.
In the history of UK television, only eight sitcoms have made it beyond 10 series. Here is that list:
ChuckleVision: 21
Not Going Out: 13
Mike & Angelo: 12
Red Dwarf: 12
My Family: 11
Never The Twain: 11
What is remarkable about this achievement of Lee Mack's sitcom is that it almost didn't make it beyond the third series, having been cancelled in 2009. The BBC eventually reversed its decision following strong DVD sales and a petition by viewers, and thus it continues to run to this day.
Not Going Out launched in 2006, with Tim Vine and Megan Dodds co-starring alongside Mack. Series 2 saw Sally Bretton replace Dodds in the cast as Lee's landlady, Lucy. In 2017, for the seventh series, the premise was adjusted to Lee and Lucy becoming parents, with Abigail Cruttenden and Hugh Dennis joining the format as friends Toby and Anna.
In terms of the radio sitcom, the list of shows ordered by series is The Clitheroe Kid (17), Ed Reardon's Week (15), The Navy Lark (15), The Men From The Ministry (14), No Commitments (13), Take It From Here (13), Clare In The Community (12), It's That Man Again (12), Ladies Of Letters (11) and Life With The Lyons (11).