Joe Lycett returns to dole out another dose of consumer justice

15 August 2019

“Lycett shows a fair heroic streak of tenacity in campaigning on behalf of consumers... The show is more amusing and smarter than it might initially seem.” ­– The Times Saturday Review

“As if to prove his ultimate versatility, here he is as consumer rights champion, using his rapier wit and sardonic tone as deadly weapons.” – Weekend i

Joe Lycett’s widely acclaimed consumer series from Rumpus Media, Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, is returning to Channel 4 for a supersized run of eight hour-long episodes as Britain’s customer service hero vows to continue to fight the good fight on behalf of the British public.

After battling a raft of consumer complaints from the likes of Britannia Hotels and easyJet, Joe not only managed to change the policies of several multinational giants including Uber Eats, SpareRoom and RBS but also got thousands of pounds of people’s money back and celebrated everyday customer service heroes. With more scams, dodgy practises and unacceptable consumer standards at large, national business will be once again be exposed, and Joe will also look to uncover those solo rogues exploiting innocent victims such as cowboy builders and crooked car salesmen.

Series two of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back (8 x 60’) will also see the return of consumer sidekick and ‘technical assistant’ Mark Silcox as they dial up both the funny and the justice alongside some celebrity consumer helpers. The audience will also form a key part of the series but may not always be aware… they’re part of Joe’s team now.

The first series, which aired in April this year, attracted a consolidated audience of over 1.4 million and was up 28% on slot with 16 – 34s. The clip of Joe and a flashmob performing a song and dance routine at NatWest HQ to get victim of bank fraud Claire’s £8k back has had 9.1 million views on Facebook to date and Joe’s now legendary setting up of an Uber Eats restaurant in a skip has so far been seen by over 4 million.

Joe Lycett said, “Got Your Back was my dream job because it let me do two of my favourite things - be an idiot and shove two fingers up to greedy corporations. I'm over the moon we're back for longer episodes and a longer series and if I'm not at least banned from a high street bank by the end of it I will see that as a failure.”

Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor for Features & Formats at Channel 4 added, “We are delighted that the brilliantly talented Joe is back on Channel 4 for another series of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back. Series two promises more stunts, more confrontation, more secret filming and a lot more Mark Silcox. Joe’s unique gift of making complaining funny, whilst still getting results, is something that resonates with us all. We could all do with being a bit more Joe.” 

Emily Hudd, Executive Producer for Rumpus Media said, “Joe’s appetite for consumer justice is truly insatiable and we’re absolutely thrilled that Channel 4 have commissioned a second series, so he can right many more wrongs for the British public in his inimitable way. We loved bringing his fight for justice to life in series one and can’t wait to get started on round two – making the world a slightly better place has never been so much fun.”

Channel 4 has also ordered a 1 x 60’ pilot from Rumpus Media fronted by comedian and very proud fan of regional Britain, Tom Allen. Tom Allen Goes To Town (w/t) will see the man himself celebrating a different town in the UK each week as he hosts an as-live comedy entertainment show from an iconic local venue. In front of an audience made up of local characters he’s met over the week, it’s set to be a heart-warming and funny love letter to regional Britain, celebrating real people in beautiful, unsung places.

Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back: Series 2 (8 x 60’) is a Rumpus Media co-production with My Options Were Limited and was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Features & Formats Sarah Lazenby and Commissioning Editor for Features & Formats Jonny Rothery. The Executive Producers for Rumpus are Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush.

ENDS

Do you want Joe Lycett to fight for your consumer rights?

Email gotyourback@rumpusmedia.co.uk with your story.