CHANNEL 4 has confirmed that one of its most popular new comedies has survived the channel’s recent bloodbath and will be back on screens very soon.
The broadcaster has been under fire over the past week after axing a slew of shows amid a money-saving ploy.
However, one of the shows not affected is their latest smash hit comedy, Big Boys.
Channel 4 has confirmed that filming is already underway on a second series of the programme written by Jack Rooke.
The show’s cast, including Jon Pointing and Derry Girls star Dylan Llewellyn will also be back with the show.
Based on writer Jack’s life, the programme centres on an unlikely friendship between sweet, shy, newly-out as gay Jack (Dylan Llewellyn) and boisterous, laddish and ever-so-slightly mature student Danny (Jon Pointing).
After the first series chronicled the best friends journey through their first year at university, the second instalment will catch up with their antics in their chaotic second year.
The pair will deal with virginity hang-ups, drug experimentation and even Jack’s obsession with Alison Hammond.
It will also look at Jack’s family as they continue to move forward following the death of his father.
Expressing his excitement, creator Jack said: “Big Boys will start second year even dafter, sillier and BIGGER than before!
“Fresh from Derry Girls we have pinched Dylan Llewellyn back to play Jack, alongside BAFTA nominee Jon Pointing and recent BAFTA Scotland winner Izuka Hoyle as Danny & Corinne.”
The second series of Big Boys is expected to air next year.
It comes as Channel 4 has reportedly run into funding issues and has had to make the difficult decision to can a slew of successful series.
The budget cuts are said to have affected Naked Attraction, Four Weddings, Scared of The Dark and Rescue: Extreme Medics.
According to the Daily Mail, staff at the struggling channel are calling the culling of these shows a ‘bloodbath’.
Popular panel show The Last Leg is also believed to have had its episode order slashed for its upcoming series.
Four Weddings is a particular shock as Channel 4 trumpeted about bringing back the much-loved series for a reboot.
An insider told the publication: “At first everyone was in total shock when Four Weddings was cancelled.
‘”It’s almost unheard of that a show that is going really well is decommissioned, but as news started to spread, other shows were falling down too.
“The casting team were already in place to start on Naked Attraction and were all told they were no longer needed as they were not making another series.”
Big Boys series 1 can be streamed online now ahead of the second series in 2024.