Channel 4 heads back to Birmingham for more mischief with a second series of live entertainment show, Late Night Lycett

24 August 2023

After the success of the first series, which was +35% up on Individual share and a remarkable +126% for 16-34’s against the Monday to Sunday 10pm slot average, Joe Lycett and Channel 4 will once again be returning to the banks of Birmingham’s canals for more mayhem in a new series of Late Night Lycett, due to air in 2024. 

In series one, Joe brought some of the biggest names in the showbiz world to Digbeth, with guests including Dame Joan Collins, Dame Joanna Lumley, Richard E Grant, Rob Delaney, Jonathan Ross, Judi Love, Alan Carr, Rosie Jones, Gemma Collins, Joel Dommett, Alison Hammond, Munroe Bergdof, David Harewood, Greg James, Daisy May Cooper and more.  

Broadcast live, with fun and inclusivity at heart, Late Night Lycett celebrates the city and its diversity, making stars of the locals. The first series witnessed celebs from Natalie Cassidy to Paul Chuckle running riot in Joe’s local corner shop, created the nation’s new sweetheart in the form of production trainee Linda Biscuits; saw Joe give away his very own car to an audience member; and introduced controversial straight-talking newsreader Richard Yewtree to challenge the woke agenda.

The series of 6x60 will be produced by Rumpus Media and My Options Were Limited.

The new series commission follows the previously announced Late Night Lycett Christmas Special (W/T) which is due to air later this year.

Joe Lycett said: “The first series of Late Night Lycett was the most fun I've ever had making TV. From Paul Chuckle destroying my local corner shop to Katherine Ryan being trapped on a floating barge, the whole thing feels like a crazed fever dream. I can't wait to go bigger and wilder in series two.”

Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at Channel 4, said: “The first series of Late Night Lycett was a blast of classic Channel 4 anarchy while also breaking new ground in live comedy entertainment. We are so proud of this show, and we can’t wait to create more Friday night chaos with Joe, the brilliant team at Rumpus and, of course, Linda Biscuits.”

Tom Beck, Head of Live Events and Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at Channel 4 said: “Joe is a phenomenal talent and a brilliant, bonkers human being - and Late Night Lycett is the perfect reflection of his personality.  The first series overflowed with creative joy, balanced with real heart; it was also really bloody funny. I can’t wait to bring it back.” 

Steve Handley, Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at Channel 4 said: “I’m utterly thrilled we are returning to Digbeth and can’t wait to see the unpredictable mayhem Joe has planned to top the first series. Will Richard Yewtree return, or will it “finally have been proved”? Will Hardev finally remember which celeb is running his shop? Will Linda Biscuits behave? What will Joe do to top giving away his actual car? Anything can happen and I can’t wait to find out.”

Emily Hudd, Rumpus Media joint Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled that Late Night Lycett will be going live again. To collaborate with Joe is always a dream and we’re hoping to work with more local talent new to the industry again through our trainee scheme.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Late Night Lycett is a co-production between Rumpus Media and My Options Were Limited, commissioned by Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment, and Steven Handley and Tom Beck, Commissioning Editors, for Channel 4. The Executive Producers are Ian Wimbush and Emily Hudd for Rumpus Media and Joe Lycett for My Options Were Limited. The Director of Production is Lucy Rothery for Rumpus Media.

About Rumpus Media:

Founded in 2013 by Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush, Rumpus Media is known for creating engaging content across multiple genres and broadcasters. Rumpus Media has won an accolade of awards since its foundation and has developed a wide range of successful returning formats including: The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan for BBC Two (winner of BAFTA TV and Grierson Awards); two series of Asian Provocateur with Romesh Ranganathan for BBC Three; three series of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back for Channel 4 (RTS award-winning and BAFTA nominated); two series of Channel Hopping with Jon Richardson for Comedy Central; four series of Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains for Comedy Central. 

Other recent programming includes Channel 4 projects Joe Lycett Vs Beckham: A Got Your Back Christmas Special (winner of a BAFTA for Feature, Grierson shortlisted and nominated for an RTS Award); Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant (Grierson shortlisted and the winner of the inaugural Climate Impact Award at the Edinburgh TV Festival 2022), How to Survive a Dictator with Munya Chawawa (BAFTA nominated, Grierson shortlisted), the critically acclaimed series Late Night Lycett (nominated at Edinburgh TV Festival 2023); and Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party (nominated for an RTS Award and a National Comedy Award).