“Not Going Out doesn’t deviate from its standard, winning formula. And why should it? What it does, it does brilliantly… this is made special by Lee Mack, probably the best gag-man on television, and a proper comedian who is funny to his bone marrow.”
Alison Graham, Radio Times
An emotional seventh series finale last year saw Lee (LEE MACK) and Lucy (SALLY BRETTON) finally tie the knot. Now fans of BBC1’s multi-award-winning primetime sitcom Not Going Out, starring British Comedy Award and BAFTA winning comedian LEE MACK, and co-written by LEE and DANNY PEAK, are in for a festive treat when the show returns to our screens for a nail-biting Christmas special.
As we rejoin the couple a year on, it’s Christmas Eve and newlyweds Lee and Lucy are doing some last minute shopping when an unexpected stranger turns their Christmas upside down. A heavily pregnant Lucy is three days overdue with their first baby, when they find themselves mistakenly caught up in a robbery at the local department store. Alongside them are Lee’s dad Frank (BOBBY BALL) dressed as Santa’s elf, uber-ditzy friend Daisy (KATY WIX) and neighbours Toby (HUGH DENNIS) and Anna (ABIGAIL CRUTTENDEN). Locked in and faced with a dangerous armed robber wearing a Father Christmas latex mask, they need to come up with an escape plan before things take a turn for the worst. With gun shots, plenty of screaming and hiding in Santa’s grotto, will Lee’s actions and usually ill-thought out ideas get them into even more trouble?
LEE MACK has established himself as one of the UK’s most recognisable and celebrated comics. Another busy year has seen him win the tournament on Let’s Play Darts for Comic Relief (BBC ONE); return as resident team captain on the ninth series of Would I Lie To You? (BBC ONE); host the third series of Duck Quacks Don’t Echo (Sky One) and release Not Going Out Series 7 and Series 1-7 boxset on DVD. In 2014, LEE toured with his first live national stand-up show in four years, Hit the Road Mack. Already a sell-out before it started, the tour was extended twice and saw LEE play 84 dates including eight shows at London’s iconic Hammersmith Apollo, with a DVD of the stand-up show released later that year.
ends
“No-one could ever fault this excellent series’ ability to deliver gags the way that Roger Federer serves up aces”
Jane Simon, Daily Mirror
“This seventh series of Not Going Out has been arguably the best.” ★★★★★
Sally Brockway, TV Times
“Stay in and watch it”
The Sunday Times, Culture
“This is one of the most gag-rich comedies on the box and…the quality of the writing has not waned a jot.”
David Stephenson, Sunday Express
“The main reason to watch Not Going Out has always been because of its absolutely ingenious one-liners, puns and double entendres…Not Going Out remains a rare thing – a brightly lit British studio sitcom that is actually worth staying in for.”
Sharon Lougher, Metro
“Not Going Out is chock full of gags.” ★★★★
Boyd Hilton, Heat
Not Going Out Christmas Special will be in BBC ONE’s Christmas schedule (exact date TBC)
For more information, please contact: Dan Lloyd or Lucy Plosker on 020 7598 7222 or danl@avalonuk.com or lucyp@avalonuk.com
PRODUCTION CREDITS
The series is directed by NICK WOOD and produced by JAMIE RIX. Executive Producers are RICHARD ALLEN-TURNER, ROB ASLETT, LEE MACK and JON THODAY.
