The Young Offenders is to return for a fourth series.

The BBC says Series 2 and Series 3 of the sitcom, filmed back-to-back in 2019, proved "massive draws for audiences not only in Ireland and the UK, but across the world, and the show garnered critical acclaim for its sensitive yet hilarious story-telling and performances."

It has therefore commissioned another run of the show which stars Chris Walley and Alex Murphy as lovable rogues Jock O'Keeffe and Conor MacSweeney. Whilst the series started on BBC Three, the programme will now reside on BBC One.

The corporation confirmed this morning: "The BBC in association with RTÉ have recommissioned hit comedy The Young Offenders from producers Vico Films. This series follows on from the hugely successful TV series, the 2018 Christmas special which aired for the first time on BBC One and the box office smash feature film from 2016."

Commissioning editor Ben Caudell comments: "We're so happy to have The Young Offenders back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, so that viewers once again enjoy the adventures, and misadventures, of all these brilliant comic characters - they may not be quite so young, but they're still very much offenders."

Creator Peter Foott says: "We're over the moon to have been commissioned for Series 4 of the show on BBC One, and of course always grateful for the ongoing support of RTÉ. Audiences have been asking for more of the journeys of these characters and we're very excited to take the show in new directions for Series 4 and can't wait to bring it back to TV screens."

The producers have issued a casting call for the new series, further details can be seen via theyoungoffenders.com