Matt Lucas shoots down reports he’s planning to reboot controversial BBC comedy

| Metro columnist Published September 26, 2026 10:05am Updated September 26, 2026 10:05am Matt Lucas has no plans to revive TV’s most controversial sketch show (Picture: BBC) Matt Lucas has responded to claims Little Britain is making an unexpected return. The controversial sketch show written and starring Lucas and David Walliams became one of the UK’s most-watched shows of the decade when it ran for three series from 2003 to 2006 after initially starting as a radio show. It was famed for deeply problematic characters like Vicky Pollard, Andy and Lou, and ‘the only gay in the village’ Daffyd. However, through a modern lens, it aged terribly with characters in Black face, homophobic gags and jokes that are just so far from what is acceptable today – so much so Little Britain was removed from both BBC iPlayer and Netflix in 2020. The Sun reports Lucas and Walliams are plotting to relaunch the sketch comedy after discovering the pair have revived Little Britain ltd, the company behind the show. The publication claimed: ‘Little Britain isn’t just one of the most popular shows, it’s also one of the most controversial. Little Britain was removed from BBC iPlayer after being deemed too offensive (Picture: BBC) ‘So it’s unlikely to be returning to BBC One or one of the other main channels. ‘It’s much more likely to end up going to one of the streamers who are making braver decisions.’ Lucas has rule out any plans of reviving Little Britain though, posting on X: ‘I don’t know where this story has come from but there are no plans to reboot this show.’ Lucas recently made somewhat of a TV comeback appearing on the latest series of Taskmaster alongside Richard Ayoade, Nina Conti, Isy Suttie and Edinburgh Fringe favourite, Chloe Petts. Since Little Britain, he’s gone on to star in a number of major blockbuster movies and hosted Great British Bake Off for three series alongside Noel Fielding. David Walliams was recently dropped by his publihser which is removing his entire backlog (Picture: ITV) Walliams left Britain’s Got Talent in 2023 after leaked transcripts revealed the made disrespectful comments about contestants during auditions. He also went on to launch a hugely successful career as a children’s author but his entire back catalogue has been dropped by publisher HarperCollins following claims he harassed a young female publishing worker. In 2025, the pair reunited for a new podcast and suggested they’re working on a new project after teenagers were discovering Little Britain clips on TikTok. Speaking on Lorraine, Walliams said: ‘Everyone at his school is talking about it. As you rightly said, TikTok, people are sharing on TikTok. ‘It’s a whole new generation discovering it. I think those social media things are great for one/two minute clips.’ ‘I don’t know about you, but someone says every day is there going to be more Little Britain. Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale ‘Every day someone comes up to me in the street.’ Arrow MORE: David Walliams’s back catalogue ‘dropped by publisher’ Arrow MORE: Taskmaster fans want underdog comedian to win despite ‘never hearing of them before’ Arrow MORE: Matt Lucas reveals secret diagnosis he’s ‘never spoken about’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.