JOSH RETURNS TO BBC THREE FOR A SECOND SERIES THIS AUTUMN Coming to BBC Three, September 2016 6 x 30 min Episodes After a successful debut first series in 2015, hugely popular stand-up Josh Widdicombe returns for a second series of JoshJosh,,,, a quirky comedy about the highs and lows of life as an anxious old man trapped in an anxious young man’s body. Written by Josh Widdicombe and Tom Craine with Henry Paker and directed by David Schneider (I'm Alan Partridge and The Day Today), the 6 x 30 minute series will air on BBC Three this September (date to be confirmed). Josh is back and he’s nerdier and more awkward than ever. And his hopelessly selfish flat-mates aren’t helping matters. Welsh charmer and football shirt aficionado, Owen (ElisElis JamesJames) is sabotaging Josh’s love-life – again – and disaster-prone Kate (BeattieBeattie EdmondsonEdmondson)Edmondson is scoring more own-goals than Josh’s beloved Plymouth Argyle. Not to mention over-familiar landlord, Geoff (JackJack DeeDee), who always seems to be popping round and getting in the way. Things don’t run smoothly for Josh as he gets embroiled with a sexually-voracious cougar, attempts to evict a drug-taking squatter from his flat and tries to end ten years of friendship with the world’s most boring man, a.k.a. Pete The Depressed Potato. Expect plenty of exasperated grumbling, a glossary of nostalgic nineties references and a host of brilliant guest-star cameos, including Tamzin OutOuthhhhwaitewaite (Eastenders, New Tricks), Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders, Comic Strip), Michael Ball (singer, theatre star and Radio 2 DJ), Emma Bunton (The Spice Girls), Miles Jupp (Rev) and Mike Wozniak (Man Down ). Production Credits: Production Company - BBC StudiosStudios, Writers - Josh WiddicombeWiddicombe, Tom Craine and Henry PakerPaker, Director - David SchneiderSchneider, Producer - Simon MayhewMayhew----ArcherArcherArcher, Executive Producer - Stephen McCrumMcCrum,, BBC Commissioning Editor ––– Shane Allen For further press information and cast/crew interview requests please contact: [email protected] --- 07810 238 851 For images please contact --- [email protected] Cast and Production Biographies Josh Widdicombe (Josh) Josh Widdicombe is best known as co-host on the RTS award winning The Last Leg (Channel 4) and his hit BBC sitcom Josh. He is never far from our screens having starred in BBC 1’s Mock the Week and Celebrity MastermindMastermind, BBC2’s QIQIQI and Insert Name HereHere, Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 CatsCats, and Alan Carr: Chatty ManMan. Josh is also team captain on BBC2’s Insert Name Here. After fast establishing himself on the live circuit supporting huge comic talent such as Stephen Merchant, Kevin Bridges, Michael McIntyre and Alan Carr, Josh has gone on to have three sell-out UK tours and two sell-outs runs at the Edinburgh Festival, an Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nomination. Never a dull moment as Josh continues his critically acclaimed tour What Do I Do Now…? including a return to Hammersmith Apollo to record his second DVD. Jack Dee (Geoff) Now established as one of Britain’s well-loved and biggest comedy stars, Jack Dee has captured the imagination of audiences and critics with his dry humour and deadpan delivery. In 2009, Jack replaced Humphrey Lyttelton as the chairman of the widely adored Radio 4 “antidote to panel games,” I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue. The author of a compelling bestselling autobiography, Thanks for Nothing, Jack has also co- written and starred in four series of the BBC2 sitcom, Lead Balloon. A much loved stand-up, Jack returned to the road after a six-year absence from stand-up with an eighteen-month sell-out tour in 2012/2013 which culminated in the release of his sixth DVD, Jack Dee: So What. 2015 saw Jack star as Geoff in the BBC sitcom JOSH and host BBC 2’s The Apprentice You’re Fired. He returned to our screens this year hosting his hit BBC series Jack Dee’s Help Desk for the referendum as well as starring in the ground- breaking real-time sitcom Power Monkeys for Channel 4. Beattie EdmEdmondsonondson (Kate) Beattie is a comedy writer-performer who has an exciting year ahead; featuring in upcoming feature films Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and Bridget Jones’s BabyBaby. She also returns as co-lead in the second series of BBC Three sitcom JoshJosh, written by and starring Josh Widdicombe and directed by David Schneider. Beattie is also part of comedy sketch group Birthday Girls, alongside Rose Johnson and Camille Ucan, who have taken their brand new show to Edinburgh this year on the back of their 2015 five-star sell out show 'Party Vibes'. Daughter to Jennifer Saunders and Ade Edmondson, Beattie began her career alongside the rest of Birthday Girls as founding member of the critically acclaimed sketch group Lady Garden (‘Britain’s funniest women’ – Telegraph). She has also appeared in the last ever series of Channel 4’s Fresh MeatMeat, UKTV Gold sitcom Marley’s GhostsGhosts, , Sky1’s Spy and Omid Djalili’s Little CrackerCracker. For BBC One, Beattie has appeared in Matt Lucas’ silent comedy Pompidou and Jennifer Saunders’ JamJamJam and JerusalemJerusalem. Elis James (Owen) A natural performer and sharp gagsmith with numerous critically acclaimed solo stand-up shows under his belt, a hugely successful national tour and invitations to perform both on home soil and across the globe, Elis James is one of the UK’s top comedy talents. With warm wit and endearing charm, Elis’ talents don’t stop at stand-up and he is radio regular, writing and starring in three series of Elis James’ Pantheon of Heroes and two series of Social Club FM both for BBC Radio Wales. Currently, Elis co-hosts Radio X’s Chortle Award Nominated Weekend Breakfast Show with fellow comic John Robins. Elis is also a familiar face across our television screens including appearances on; 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave) and has some top acting credits including the lead role of Luke for BBC Three sit-com Crims and most recently Elis starred as Owen in Josh Widdicombe’s BBC Three sit-com Josh . Tom Craine (w(writer)riter) Tom Craine is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer. Tom has written two series of the critically acclaimed series “Josh” with Josh Widdicombe (in which he also appears). As well as having written for The Guardian, his monthly column for Cosmopolitan Magazine (Sex & The Single Guy), won Best Column at the UK Dating Awards. On TV and radio, Tom regularly presents the ‘Trending Trio’ segment on Weekend (ITV) and was a regular on The Josh Widdicombe Show (XFM). He has performed stand up on Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Three) and Stephen K Amos' 'Idiots Guide' (BBC Radio 4) and presented the documentary 'Glastonbury: Jesus to Jay-Z' (BBC Three) as well as investigative reports on 'Inside Out' (BBC One). Other recent appearances include; Drunk History (Comedy Central), Safeword (ITV2) and The Dog Ate My Homework (CBBC). As a stand up, Tom has gained a raft of 4 and 5 star reviews for his Edinburgh shows (including being chosen in the Top 5 show at the Fringe by The Times, and as the critics choice in The Guardian). He has also supported Rhod Gilbert, Alan Carr, Josh Widdicombe and Russell Kane on tour. Tom is also a core writer for the British Comedy Award winning The Last Leg (Channel 4). His CV also includes Mock The Week (BBC Two), QI (BBC Two) and The Michael McIntyre Chat Show (BBC One). He also co-wrote the BBC Radio 2 sitcom The Sharp End, in which he starred alongside Alistair McGowan. Henry Paker (writer) Award winning stand-up and comic writer, Henry Paker is one of the most sought after comic brains in the UK. Described by The Guardian as ‘one of the funniest men on the planet’, Henry has gone on to star in BBC3’s Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live, Russell Howard’s Good News and Comedy Central at The Comedy Store. Henry also writes, and stars in, BBC Radio 4’s critically acclaimed sketch show Small Scenes. Henry is one of the most sought after writers in the industry and has written for TV shows including Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Play to the Whistle, Virtually Famous and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. David Schneider (Director) David is a comedy writer, performer and director who has written and appeared in some of the most iconic programmes of recent years. A familiar face from TV, he wrote and appeared in Alan Partridge; Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Day Today and Friday Night Armistice. David featured in films as varied as Mission Impossible and Horrid Henry. More recently, his film The Death of Stalin, which he co-wrote with Armando Iannucci, is due for release in 2017. It stars Steve Buscemi, Michael Palin and Jeffrey Tambor. Simon MayhewMayhew----ArcherArcher (Producer for BBC ComedyComedy)))) Simon Mayhew-Archer is a producer who is known primarily for his work on BBC radio. He produced the critically acclaimed sketch series Small Scenes, as well as the Sony Award-winning Tom Wrigglesworth’s Open Return Letter to Richard Branson. Other credits include the Arthur Mathews sitcom, The Golden Age, Newsjack, and The Guns of Adam Riches. Stephen McCrum (((Executive(Executive Producer for BBC ComedyComedy)))) Stephen McCrum is a multi-award winning comedy producer from London. Most recently he ‘s produced Brendan O’Carroll’s BAFTA, Scottish BAFTA and IFTA award-winning Mrs.