Lee Mack has opened up about the future of his popular BBC sitcom, Not Going Out, explaining he will be taking a year off from the show.

The comedian, 55, created the beloved show in 2006 with the 13th series airing last summer followed by a Christmas special in December, which marked the milestone 100th episode.

While a 14th series has yet to be commissioned, Lee confirmed discussions about the show’s future are happening.

However, he dashed fans’ hopes for more episodes anytime soon, as he declared that the show wouldn’t return for at least another year.

Lee already has a jam-packed schedule for 2024, chiefly with his game show The 1% Club and comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?, while he recently appeared in the West End in Steven Moffat’s play The Unfriend.

Lee Mack has opened up about the future of his popular BBC sitcom, Not Going Out, explaining he will be taking a year off from the show (pictured in October)

The comedian, 55, created the beloved show in 2006 with the 13th series airing last summer followed by a Christmas special in December, which marked the milestone 100th episode (pictured)

While a 14th series has yet to be commissioned, Lee confirmed discussions about the show’s future are happening, but declared that the series wouldn’t return for at least another year.

When asked about his plans for the year, he said: ‘More 1% Club, more Would I Lie to You? and, for the first year in a long time, I won’t be doing Not Going Out.’

He then clarified: ‘If we do bring it back, we’re looking at early 2025.’

Lee insisted that the future of the show was not up to him, saying: ‘We’re talking about it now. I’d love to do more, I love doing it, it’s great fun, I love the cast but […] it’s not always my decision, these things.

‘I just wait for someone to say, “There’s a bag of money, get on with it”.’

Lee previously hinted that the show may not return ahead of the landmark 100th episode on Christmas Eve. 

He told The Sun: ‘We’ll have reached 100 episodes by the time we’ve finished this latest series and – as I am quite obsessive about numbers – that could be a nice, round number to end on. Either that or we go on until we’ve reached 200!’

At the National Television Awards in September, he reiterated: ‘We are deciding, shall we say, and so are the BBC. We’re having chats, so we’ll see. 

‘100’s a lovely round number isn’t it? I can absolutely confirm I won’t be doing 200!’

Lee already has a jam-packed schedule for 2024, chiefly with his game show The 1% Club and comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?, while he recently appeared in the West End in Steven Moffat’s play The Unfriend (pictured on The 1% Club)

Lee previously hinted that the show may not return ahead of the landmark 100th episode on Christmas Eve

Not Going Out holds the distinction of being the second longest-running British sitcom by number of series after Last of the Summer Wine.

The show was originally cancelled by the BBC in 2009 before it was brought back due to strong DVD sales and an online petition.

The programme follows Lee playing a fictionalised version of himself, while Sally Bretton plays his on-screen wife Lucy. 

Hugh Dennis and Anna Abigail Cruttenden also star in the show, while Deborah Grant and Geoffrey Whitehead play Lucy’s parents.

Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Katy Wix and the late Bobby Ball have also featured as cast members over the years. 

At the NTAs (pictured) in September, he reiterated: ‘We are deciding, shall we say, and so are the BBC. We’re having chats, so we’ll see. 100’s a lovely round number isn’t it?’