ITV’s Vicious and The Job Lot return for second runs

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by

Staff

IAN McKELLEN as Freddie, DEREK JACOBI as Stuart, FRANCES DE LA TOUR as Violet and IWAN RHEON as Ash. Image: ITV/BROWN EYED BOY
IAN McKELLEN as Freddie, DEREK JACOBI as Stuart, FRANCES DE LA TOUR as Violet and IWAN RHEON as Ash. Image: ITV/BROWN EYED BOY
ITV has ordered second runs of sitcoms Vicious and The Job Lot, despite both getting mixed receptions from viewers and critics.

The two shows were screened back to back to form a new comedy hour double-bill.

Vicious stars Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as Freddie and Stuart, an ageing gay couple whose careers are pretty much over lives consist of reading books, walking their dog and bickering.

The series also stars Frances De La Tour as their feisty best friend Violet and Iwan Rheon as their new hot, but decidedly straight, neighbour.

The show’s depiction of older gay men as catty, sarcastic chasers of attractive young men drew criticism from some audience members.

Set in a busy West Midlands Job Centre, The Job Lot stars Russell Tovey and Sarah Hadland and focuses on the relationships between the people who work there, and the people who don’t.

A less than stellar response to both had fuelled reports that the shows could be axed.

However ITV has now confirmed that both will return, although The Job Lot will move to ITV2.