Blow for Jimmy Carr as show is shelved by bosses after just one...

Blow for Jimmy Carr as show is shelved by bosses after just one series despite star-studded lineup

Published on March 25, 2025 at 02:49 PM

JIMMY Carr has been dealt a huge blow as his star-studded game show has been shelved after one series.

The funnyman, 52, hosted Battle in the Box for UKTV's digital channel U&Dave last year.

Jimmy Carr performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. — Jimmy Carr's game show has been shelved after just one series

Jimmy Carr on the set of a game show. — The funnyman's show Battle in the Box aired last year on UKTV channel U&Dave

It saw two pairs of celebrities go head-to-head in a series of mental and physical challenges.

Josh Swash, Jamie Laing, Seann Walsh, Katherine Ryan and Ellie Taylor were among the stars who took part in the show.

A source said: “Battle in the Box is being rested and no more series are planned for now.

“The show was one of the schedule staples for UKTV last year as they relaunched their channels with a bold new look.

“While there's no conversations happening about a second series, the show could return sometime in the future.”

Flying Eze's reporters previously took on the challenge – and also revealed how Joe Swash had wreaked havoc during his appearance.

Former EastEnders actor Joe accidentally gave himself food poising that resulted in him then breaking the toilet in his box.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Carr recently returned to screens with his brand new Prime Video series Last One Laughing.

It sees comedians locked up together where they have to fight the urge to giggle at each other's jokes.

The comedian is also back at the helm of his Channel 4 hit Eight Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Earlier this month it was confirmed execs had ordered a brand new series after production was halted.

Best BBC comedies

Blow for Jimmy Carr as show is shelved by bosses after just one series despite star-studded lineup 2

We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.

Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.

Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-classPeckhamin south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters', in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.

Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadderwas voted the second-best British sitcom of all time

Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie' Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip'. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.

Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!

The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?'. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan', Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.

Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.