Defiant David Walliams insists new comedy is ‘edgy, rude and dangerous’ despite Little Britain backlash
WHEN David Walliams announced he was working with Matt Lucas on a new version of Little Britain, he said they’d learnt their lesson about diversity.
But it sounds like fans of the original’s close-to-the-knuckle comedy, including their airline mockumentary Come Fly With Me, need not worry.
David has shared an update on the duo’s project and vowed it is as “edgy” as ever.
He said: “We’re writing again but we want to do entirely new characters like Come Fly With Me. It’s a little bit edgy, there are jokes in it that are like, not in terrible taste, but you know — like Little Britain was and Come Fly With Me.
“No, it’s not trendy, it’s edgy. It’s walking a line that some people might be a little bit shocked at.”
Matt revealed in December the pair were working on scripts, and admitted they should have thought about improving diversity in the BBC comedy, which has now been slapped with content warnings.
Matt quit his role as host of the Great British Bake Off to focus on the new show.
It is not yet known which broadcaster has commissioned the project, but David reckons there is still a place for darker humour — on Netflix.
He told The Therapy Crouch podcast: “Do you watch Netflix comedy specials? Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais — they’re all really, really edgy and exciting and funny and shocking and all these things.
“And a lot of people, not everybody, like it that way. I grew up watching Life Of Brian, which at the time was banned in certain countries and people protested outside the cinemas.
“And I loved The Producers, where he puts on a musical about Hitler, the famous song Springtime For Hitler, it’s brilliant.”
CHRIS'S FEUD FOR THOUGHT
IT was thumbs up from former Coronation Street actor Chris Gascoyne when he was spotted making new Channel 5 thriller The Feud.
After playing Peter Barlow on the soap over 23 years, he looked completely at home making another drama for one of ITV’s biggest rivals.
He joins an ensemble cast, including Jill Halfpenny – who must be in almost every show made by Channel 5 – as well as Rupert Penry-Jones and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell.
The Feud is currently being filmed in the North East and is expected to air later this year.
With such a stellar cast, it looks like Chris is in good company.
But after tasting life on the other side, does this mean he won’t be tempted to return to Weatherfield?
Corrie fans will certainly hope not.
DANNY HAMS IT UP
DANNY Dyer lived out his dream of playing on the same pitch as his West Ham heroes.
The ex-EastEnder put on his boots for a charity games at the London Stadium alongside Gary Lucy, Dean Gaffney and Calum Best.
Former Love Islanders Toby Aromolaran and Tyrique Hyde, Towie’s Dan Osborne, Married At First Sight’s George Best and Hollyoaks’ Owen Warner also took part in the Sellebrity Soccer match to raise money for baby-loss charity The Matilda Foundation.
Danny’s team emerged victorious, and it comes ahead of his latest role in Sky comedy series Mr Bigstuff.
He plays Lee, a man with a criminal past who crashes into the life of brother Glen (Ryan Sampson), who was enjoying a peaceful and law-abiding life in an Essex cul-de-sac . . .
CORRIE LOVERS IN SPLIT
REAL-life Corrie couple Elle Mulvaney and Liam Scholes have split up.
I can reveal the once-smitten pair, known to fans of the ITV soap as Amy Barlow and Eli Higginson, have gone their separate ways after two years.
A source said: “Elle and Liam were love’s young dream and did everything together. Their split has really shocked their co-stars and family and no one knows exactly what happened.
“It was all very sudden and they have both made it clear to pals it would take a miracle for them to get back together again.”
The actress got together with Liam in 2022 following his time on the cobbles as villain Eli. His Corrie character helped evil Corey Brent cover up the murder of Seb Franklin, who died after a vicious street attack.
Liam has since gone on to appear in Waterloo Road and fronts Manchester indie band The Lanks.