Uncle

Radio Times review

Heart-warming isn't a word often associated with BBC Three, but this comedy about the friendship between a straitlaced adolescent and his immature uncle is just that. Last time we saw them fondly getting on each other's nerves, Errol's dad had put a restraining order on Andy because of his corrupting influence.

A year later, they're still hanging out in secret. Errol's voice has broken but he's still 13 going on 53, solemnly confiscating junk food and proscribing an exercise regime, while Andy, played by stand-up Nick Helm, eyes his cigarette stash longingly and breaks out into silly songs.

Nick Helm interview

Nick Helm talks about the return of Uncle - and why there's a lot of s**t on telly...

Carpet salesman and wannabe musician Andy (Nick Helm) has songwriter's block. He also has a restraining order to prevent any contact with his nephew after last series's inadvertent ecstasy consumption. But considering this is a sitcom centred on slacker Andy and nervy nephew Errol's unlikely friendship, this series two opener sees it continue regardless, the 13-year-old secretly visiting his uncle and helping him write one of the comedy musical numbers that usually punctuate the plot.

Nick Helm's favourite TV

The star of BBC Three's Uncle on his love of cookery show Primal Grill and why he finds The Young Ones traumatic.

Nick Helm: I dispense advice to my young co-star

"When I am dead I hope he might say that Nick had some really interesting things to say about fame"

TV Preview, Uncle, Series 2, BBC3

I knew Uncle was returning, but it seems to have sneaked into the schedules without as much hoo-ha as the first series. The timing could not be better though.

Preview: 'Uncle' Series 2

In summary then, Uncle continues to offer a gentle, quality comedy cuddle to help you get through the working week; but what gave the first series much of its bite has sadly grown up and gone away.

If you've been enjoying stand-up comedian Nick Helm's BBC3 sitcom Uncle, you'll be unsurprised to discover he was up to no good. There's only one more episode to go of this first, six-part series and while Andy (Helm) has formed a closer bond with his nephew Errol (Elliot Speller-Gillott), he's still, pleasingly, a truly despicable role model for the kids.

That was proved yet again this week as Andy juggled the affections of three women in a typically craven fashion: current fling Shelly, ex-girlfriend Gwen and Errol's music teacher Melodie. Andy's behaviour was so shabby, he even had to defend himself to an 11-year-old: "What are you? The girlfriend police? I can have as many girlfriends as I want!"

Meanwhile, Andy's sister, Sam was attempting to trade in her reliable but dull AA sponsor, for the übercool Susie, a former Mick Jagger groupie. Susie turned out to be yet another useless role model, but if Sam's after a genuine rock idol to hero-worship I have a much better suggestion: Viv Albertine from the Slits.

Despite being hapless, jobless and generally hopeless, unconventional uncle Andy has trouble fighting off the ladies in the penultimate episode of the dark Brit comedy. With anxious young nephew Errol begrudgingly packed off on a school trip, Andy calls on sister Sam for help as Shelly, Gwen and Melodie vie for his attentions. However, with Sam preoccupied with replacing her frumpy Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, will Andy singlehandedly be able to manage the logistics of his unexpected lothario status?