BBC drops 'Not Going Out' sitcom

The BBC has reportedly axed the sitcom Not Going Out after its third season.

The decision comes despite the Avalon series - part of the corporation's Friday night line-up - regularly attracting audiences of up to 4 million.

Co-writer Andrew Collins wrote on his blog: "This is very sad news, and something of a surprise. We went out with our highest ever audience figure and critics seem to have been kinder to the third series."

Starring Lee Mack, Megan Dodds, Tim Vine and Sally Bretton, the programme was written by Mack, Andrew Collins, Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Peter Tilbury. The show first aired in 2006, and 21 episodes have since been broadcast.