Harry & Paul, the sketch show starring comedy veterans Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, is to return for a fourth series.

In January rumours surfaced that the show was on BBC Two's list of comedies to axe, as budget cuts forced the channel to reduce its original comedy slots, and lose a number of formats accordingly. At the same time, The Sun also ran a story claiming the show had been axed due to falling ratings.

However, Paul Whitehouse says the rumours are incorrect, and that the BBC has commissioned a fourth series of Harry & Paul.

Appearing on The Alan Titchmarsh Show to promote the Bellamy's People DVD, Whitehouse said: "Harry and I both read something in The Sun the other day saying that we were finished, which, you know, we always wonder about. We ring each other up every day and say 'are we finished?' But, no, the BBC has decided to re-commission the show... so we creak into action."

Fans will have to wait a while for the six new episodes though, as Whitehouse added: "We hope it will be on air sometime next year, but we've got to write it yet!"

Harry & Paul has had a somewhat troubled history. The show started on BBC One in 2007 as 'Ruddy Hell! It's Harry & Paul' but was met by a mixed reaction from both critics and viewers, with many left disappointed. After a 16 month gap, the programme returned refreshed with a number of new characters, a shortened title, and a new production team. The changes were heralded a success (the series went on to win a British Comedy Award and Comedy.co.uk Award), but the programme still struggled for ratings.

In a further setback, Geoffrey Perkins, the highly experienced producer who had helped revamp the show, tragically died just days before the second series aired. Additionally, the show hit the headlines after a sketch featuring a Filipina maid caused a minor diplomatic incident

To take some of the 'pressure' off for the third series, which aired in September 2010, the BBC opted to move the show to BBC Two, and forgo a studio audience.

One of the most popular sketch strands from Harry & Paul is the duo's spoof of business programme Dragons' Den. Here is a clip...