Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
Inside No. 9

Inside No. 9

  • TV comedy drama
  • BBC Two
  • 2014 - 2024
  • 55 episodes (9 series)

Dark comedy anthology series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Each episode focuses on the goings-on around something to do with the number 9.

  • Returns on Wednesday 8th May on BBC2 at 10pm with Series 9, Episode 1
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 195

Episode menu

Series 8, Episode 5 - 3 By 3

Inside No. 9. Lee (Lee Mack)
In a replacement to the advertised programme, three threesomes compete for the big cash prize in this new general knowledge quiz presented by Lee Mack.

Notes

This episode was billed in advance as Hold On Tight, with publicity photos released of Shearsmith, Pemberton and Robin Askwith on and in front of a traditional London Routemaster bus; apparently a spoof of hit 1970s sitcom On The Buses, whose three feature films were produced by Hammer.

The episode doesn't actually exist. The accompanying synopsis read: "Wolfie and Clarke love their bus - but perhaps not as much as the mysterious Mr Cole and his dolly-bird nieces. As Clarke would say, 'plenty of room up top!'"

Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Wolfie (Steve Pemberton), Mr Cole (Robin Askwith), Clarke (Reece Shearsmith)

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 18th May 2023
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Wednesday 21st February 2024 10:00pm BBC2

Cast & crew

Guest cast
Gemma Page Margaret
Saskia Wakefield Catherine
James Tucker Stephen
Tiajna Amayo Maisie
James Bailey Gavin
Ronay Poole Bella
Jim Rastall Niall
Kiran L Dadlani Shindu
Mary Keegan Enid
Lee Mack Self
Writing team
Reece Shearsmith Writer
Steve Pemberton Writer
Production team
Barbara Wiltshire Director
Kim Crowther Producer
Adam Tandy Executive Producer
Josh Cole Executive Producer
Steve Pemberton Associate Producer
Reece Shearsmith Associate Producer
Ursula Haworth Line Producer
Patrick Hall Editor
Paul Rowan Production Designer
Tracey Gillham Casting Director
Yves Barre Costume Designer
Rowena Dean Make-up Designer
Christian Henson Composer
Andy Elliott Production Designer
Hannah Robinson Production Designer
Gemma O'Sullivan Lighting Designer
Rachel Armitage 1st Assistant Director
Gregor Sharp Commissioning Editor

Press

Lee Mack lied to fellow comedy star to keep Inside No. 9 episode secret

The Would I Lie To You? favourite put all that experience of telling fibs to good use.

Christian Tobin and Katelyn Mensah, Radio Times, 5th September 2023

Inside 'Inside No. 9': How a dark British comedy punked an entire nation

A game show with a shocking, grisly finale was part and parcel of an elaborate prank pulled on TV viewers in the UK by Inside No. 9, the BAFTA-winning BBC Two black comedy anthology series.

Michael Starr, The New York Post, 22nd August 2023

Inside No. 9 hoax proves broadcast TV can do what streaming can't

Without getting all 'old man yells at cloud', sometimes TV tradition beats innovation.

Juliette Harrisson, Den Of Geek, 23rd May 2023

Inside No. 9 - 3 By 3 review

Say what you like about the Inside No. 9 boys, but when they want to trick you, they really go for it.

Reece Goodall, The Boar, 21st May 2023

Inside No. 9: 3 By 3 review

Although the episode title of Hold On Tight was advertised, at 10pm, it was introduced with "In a change to the publish episode of Inside No. 9", we were going to have an episode of a new quiz show, 3 By 3 (also styled as 3×3), and hosted by Lee Mack.

Dom Robinson, DVD Fever, 19th May 2023

Insider reveals more about Inside No. 9 On The Buses quiz show stunt

The crew even had to sign NDAs - non-disclosure agreements, the sort of thing Hollywood actors have to sign, so that they would not give anything away in advance.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th May 2023

Bringing Inside No. 9 to life in a virtual studio

How dock10 helped the Inside No. 9 team deliver a surprise episode in a virtual studio.

Jon Creamer, Televisual, 19th May 2023

Inside No. 9 just pulled off another trick (and served up series 8's best episode)

TV tricksters Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton prove they still have surprises up their sleeves. Spoilers.

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 19th May 2023

Inside No. 9 - 8.5 Review: 3×3 / Hold On Tight!

I have to say part of me was disappointed that we didn't get to see Robin Askwith in an episode of Inside No. 9, but what we got instead was the show at it's most daring - further proof that now the end is nigh for the series, the Shearsmith and Pemberton are pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the format more than ever before.

Nick Bartlett, Critical Popcorn, 19th May 2023

Inside No. 9 fools viewers with bus replacement service

Creators and stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton played an inspired 'trick' on fans of their anthology series Inside No. 9 this week by creating an episode that didn't even 'exist' and broadcasting an alternative episode that nobody expected.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th May 2023

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