Little Britain Series Three

17 November, 2005 by The_Boss

Starts Thursday 17 November at 9.00pm on BBC ONE

2004 was arguably the year of Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

From the moment Little Britain Series Two aired on BBC THREE, breaking all viewing figures records, to the hugely successful run on BBC ONE, it was clear that the cult show had crossed over into the mainstream.

Critics have lined up to heap unanimous praise on Lucas and Walliams with the show being described in turn as "legendary" and "catchphrase comedy at its very best… with characters that are surely destined to enter the comedy pantheon".

It was a case of "champagne for everyone" as the show won a raft of awards, including two Baftas for Best Comedy Performance and Best Programme or Series, and the prestigious Rose d'Or - as well as a clutch of British Comedy Awards.

To top it all, waxworks of two of the show's most iconic characters, Lou and Andy, were recently unveiled at Madame Tussauds.

With the show due to premiere on BBC ONE, and then repeating on BBC THREE, Little Britain continues to top every comedy poll and DVD sales chart in the country; Lucas and Walliams have become regular fixtures on the pages of celebrity magazines and tabloid newspapers; and the press and public just can't get enough of the characters or their creators.

As they embark on the first leg of their sell-out nationwide tour, and with a host of new faces about to hit the small screen, it seems unlikely that Little Britain will be disappearing off the cultural map anytime soon.

And as the anticipation surrounding the return of Lou and Andy, Emily and Florence, Sebastian and his beloved PM and the rest of the crew reaches fever pitch, it's time once again for Little Britain to open its crowded shores for business.