Hypothetical is returning for a fourth series, British Comedy Guide can exclusively confirm.

Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster are also returning as hosts of the Dave panel show. Based on ridiculous fictional situations, eight more hour-long episodes have been ordered for next year with recording beginning next month.

"It is an absolute pleasure to be reunited with James after a year of him not returning my texts or calls" said Widdicombe. "Thank you to Dave for forcing him to hang out with me again."

And in a slight variation on his response to being recommissioned for previous series, Acaster joked: "We're back and more hypotheticaler than ever. Josh and I can't wait to gunge celebrities and give away thousands of pounds in cold hard cash!"

Nominated for best entertainment programme at this year's Broadcast Awards, Hypothetical's third series averaged around 300,000 overnight viewers an episode, with previous guests including Dara O Briain, Charlie Brooker, Johnny Vegas, Jo Brand, Sue Perkins, Romesh Ranganathan, Richard Ayoade and Tom Allen.

Acaster is also nominated for best male comedy entertainment performance in the postponed National Comedy Awards.

Devised by Widdicombe with fellow comics Matthew Crosby and Tom Craine, who act as writers for the show, the series began in 2019.

Produced by Sophie Le Good (The Last Leg) and Zoe Tomalin (Room 101) for Hat Trick Productions (Have I Got News For You), Hypothetical was commissioned for UKTV by Iain Coyle, head of comedy entertainment, and ordered by Cherie Cunningham, Dave channel director. Coyle executive produces alongside Hat Trick's Stu Mather.

"We are really excited to have James and Josh back on the channel to host another hilarious series of Hypothetical on Dave" said Cunningham. "In 2021 our original comedy entertainment slate has gone from strength to strength and with returning UKTV Originals like these 2022 is set to be even stronger."

Mather added: "We're all incredibly excited to be heading back into the Hypothetical studio for more nonsense in 2022. We've lined up some brilliant guests, loads of stupid scenarios and, of course, a series of embarrassing outfits for James."

Coronavirus restrictions permitting, free audience tickets for Hypothetical's fourth series are available at sroaudiences.com.