Dave today announced the return of Red Dwarf for not one but two brand new series.

The UKTV-owned channel confirmed that Red Dwarf XI and Red Dwarf XII will go into production this Autumn before broadcast in 2016 and 2017.

Regular stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn will all return, reprising their roles as Rimmer, Lister, Cat and Kryten, respectively.

Both series will be written and directed by Doug Naylor, co-creator of the original BBC Two series alongside Rob Grant. The series will be co-produced by their Grant Naylor Productions, and Steve Coogan's Baby Cow.

Doug Naylor revealed the news to the public today at the 18th Dimension Jump Red Dwarf Convention, taking place in Nottingham.

Dave channel boss Steve North says: "Red Dwarf is a really important show for us and I'm delighted that we are bringing more new episodes to our viewers. Above all else it's a really funny show and one that is held in great affection by millions of people, including the Dave team. We've built up a great relationship over the years with Doug and the cast and it's a privilege to be working with them again."

Red Dwarf originally ran on BBC Two for eight series, from 1988 to 1999. Remaining a cult hit, it was revived by the half-BBC-owned Dave in 2009 for a special two-part series, Back To Earth. A full six-episode run followed, but did not make it to air until October 2012.

Doug Naylor said today: "Steve North and everyone at UKTV have been so supportive of Red Dwarf from the start of their involvement with the show. Steve originally asked for more shows back in 2012 but frustratingly it's taken until now to get our ducks in a row and all the boys available at the same time. Now they are, we're all absolutely delighted."

Simon Lupton, Commissioning Editor at UKTV, adds: "Red Dwarf has superb talent attached; writing, directing and acting plus an expert team who absolutely know what they are doing when it comes to delivering a stand-out piece of television. It has a universal appeal that manages to touch long-standing fans and recruit new ones. It is fantastic to be collaborating with them again on the next phase of the Red Dwarf adventure."

To celebrate today's announcement, UKTV has added a bespoke collection of previous episodes, including the complete Red Dwarf X series, to its on demand service UKTV Play, which is available via iOS and Android apps, Virgin TV, YouView, and at uktvplay.co.uk. Red Dwarf X will also be available as a box set on Sky Go and via Sky+ HD set-top boxes.

Here is a clip from Dave's previous series, Red Dwarf X: