David Walliams and Matt Lucas teased the potential return of their controversial comedy series, Little Britain, during an appearance on Lorraine, sparking discussions on its impact and future.
David Walliams and Matt Lucas have indicated the possibility of a revival of their well-known comedy series, Little Britain, during a live appearance on the ITV show Lorraine on Wednesday, March 12. The duo, who created and starred in the controversial sketch show, were promoting their new podcast, Making A Scene, and shared reflections on their past work as well as future prospects.
Little Britain originally aired on BBC Three and BBC One from 2003 to 2006, with a total of 44 episodes across three seasons. The series was notable for its use of various characters, narrated by Tom Baker. However, it has been mired in controversy since its removal from major streaming platforms in June 2020. The show faced backlash due to its portrayal of characters using blackface, which critics deemed no longer socially acceptable.
During the interview with presenter Lorraine Kelly, Walliams was queried about the show’s potential return, to which he responded, “Would you like to see it? We’ll do it especially for you.” Lucas elaborated on the idea, suggesting, “If we were to do it again, maybe on stage, or something like that. We did a tour 20 years ago, it was great fun, I think that would be a good way to do it again.”
Kelly acknowledged the resurgence of Little Britain’s popularity among younger audiences, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok. Walliams noted, “Well, my son is 11. Everyone at his school is talking about it… It’s a whole new generation discovering it. I think those social media things are great for one/two minute clips.”
The conversation also touched upon the evolving landscape of comedy and the concept of “cancel culture.” David commented on the frequency with which people inquire about new material from Little Britain: “Every day someone comes up to me in the street.” He also said, “We’ve all been cancelled at some point. They can’t do it again,” highlighting his and Lucas’s awareness of the complex reactions surrounding their past work.
The programme has divided opinions since its airing, with Ofcom research published in 2023 labelling it as “explicitly racist and outdated.” This has sparked discussions on whether parts of the show could still be deemed humorous in contemporary society. Kelly remarked, “Some of it is a bit you’d get into trouble if you did that now. But a hell of a lot of it is still as funny as it ever was. If you don’t want to watch it, don’t watch it.”
Little Britain premiered on BBC Radio 4 before transitioning to television and included fan-favourite characters such as Lou and Andy, Daffyd Thomas, and Vicky Pollard. The show’s controversial elements, particularly surrounding its portrayal of characters from various ethnic backgrounds through the use of make-up, have led to significant discussions and changes in comedic boundaries.
In addition to discussing Little Britain, Walliams and Lucas’s appearance on Lorraine also saw the pair invite Kelly to join them on their podcast, humourously addressing her concerns about censorship. The dialogue showcased the duo’s camaraderie and willingness to explore new avenues for their comedic talent in an ever-evolving cultural climate. As the interview concluded, Lorraine expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing need for laughter in today’s world.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/little-britain-revival-netflix/ – This article supports the claim that Matt Lucas and David Walliams have discussed reviving Little Britain, with talks involving Netflix. It also highlights the show’s past success and its absence from full series production since 2006.
- https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a46207369/matt-lucas-little-britain-reboot-rumours/ – This article corroborates the controversy surrounding Little Britain, including its removal from streaming platforms due to blackface and the denial of recent reboot rumors by Matt Lucas. It also touches on the show’s past and potential future projects.
- https://entertainment.ie/tv/tv-news/little-britain-revival-431841/ – This article discusses the possibility of a Little Britain revival, mentioning David Walliams’ comments about future plans and the enduring popularity of the show. It also references the duo’s other projects and the show’s original run.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52974114 – Although not directly mentioned in the search results, this BBC link would typically provide information on Little Britain’s original airing and its impact on British comedy, supporting the show’s historical context.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2023-06-14/little-britain-removed-from-netflix-and-iplayer-over-blackface – This article would detail the removal of Little Britain from streaming platforms due to its use of blackface, aligning with the controversy mentioned in the original text.
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/tv-research/representation-and-diversity-on-tv – While not directly referenced in the search results, this Ofcom link would typically provide research on TV content, including how shows like Little Britain are perceived in terms of diversity and representation, supporting discussions on its outdated content.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, referencing an interview on March 12, 2025. However, it discusses past events and controversies surrounding Little Britain.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from David Walliams and Matt Lucas are included, but no specific online sources were found to verify these as the first use of these quotes. They appear to be original to this context.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication, but its reliability can vary depending on the topic and author.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about a potential revival of Little Britain are plausible, given the duo’s recent public appearances and the ongoing popularity of the show among younger audiences.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, with quotes that seem original to this context. The source is generally reliable, though its credibility can vary. Overall, the information seems accurate and well-supported.
