Entertainment

Reece Shearsmith overwhelmed by reaction to League Of Gentlemen return

The comedy is back for three new episodes.
The comedy is back for three new episodes. The comedy is back for three new episodes.

The League Of Gentlemen co-creator Reece Shearsmith has said he is “overwhelmed” by the fan reaction after the surreal dark comedy returned to mark the 20th anniversary of its debut on the BBC.

The sketch show, based in the sinister fictional town of Royston Vasey, was a hit following its launch as a radio series in 1997 before running for three series on TV from 1999 until 2002.

The first of three special new episodes aired on BBC Two on Monday and Shearsmith later tweeted: “Goodness. Thank you for such a fantastic response the show tonight. Overwhelmed. Very touched and SO pleased you enjoyed it.”

The show stars Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss and Steve Pemberton, who also co-wrote the series with Jeremy Dyson.

Fans celebrated the return of the show after 15 years away, with one writing on Twitter: “League of Gentlemen just made me so happy. Half an hour just wasn’t enough.”

Another fan wrote: “League Of Gentlemen has returned to BBC. It’s lewd, offensive, disgusting, hilarious and cathartic. Very happy to have it back. We’ll have no trouble here.”

Another said: “That new episode of The League of Gentlemen is messed up genius.”

One viewer called for the show to return full time, writing: “Loved it! Very clever way to follow the story on from previous series.

“Can league of gentlemen just come back permanently pleaseeeeee?!”

However, some said the new episodes were too disturbing, with one viewer writing: “I cannot watch league of gentlemen it gives me nightmares. Truly Terrifying.”

The League Of Gentlemen continues on Tuesday at 10pm on BBC Two.