Lee Mack taking year off popular BBC show but admits ‘it’s not his decision’

There are some shows that have become absolute staples of British TV and because of that, so have their stars.

Last weekend saw the end of Ant and Dec’s legendary Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 seasons and viewers were recently gutted to hear a popular comedy will not be returning.

And now it seems there’s another popular show we won’t be getting to watch more of for a while. That’s because Lee Mack has revealed he’s taking a year off his popular BBC show but has admitted ‘it’s not his decision’.

The comedian is undeniably one of those staples of British telly, hosting the likes of The 1% Club and being a key star of the long-running Would I Lie to You?

Lee Mack. (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

And Mack is also the star of one of the longest-running British sitcoms, Not Going Out.

The 55-year-old was one of the initial writers of the show and is the only actor to have appeared in every episode. Originally cancelled back in 2009, it was renewed quickly with a fourth series airing in January 2011.

There have now been 13 series of Not Going Out but Mack has said the recent Christmas special in 2023 will be the last episode for some time.

When asked about what’s to come for the comedian this year, he said : “More 1% Club, more Would I Lie to You? and, for the first year in a long time, I won’t be doing Not Going Out.

“If we do bring it back, we’re looking at early 2025.”

Not Going Out is a staple of British TV. (BBC)

Mack added to the Sun that the decision wasn’t his and that he’d ‘love to do more’ and finds the hit BBC sitcom ‘great fun’.

The actor continued: “I just wait for someone to say, 'There's a bag of money, get on with it'."

Not Going Out also stars Sally Bretton with the likes of Deborah Grant and Hugh Dennis.

Over its many series since 2006, the popular sitcom has also features Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Katy Wix and Bobby Ball.

Reacting to the news, fans said Not Going Out is probably one of the BBC’s ‘best comedies’ and said it’s ‘baffling’ it won’t be carrying on this year.

Others agreed: “Love this show, hope they make one next year then.”

Another wrote: “It has taken breaks before and came back strong. It can do it again. Maybe move things on a bit, new house maybe, new friends etc.”