The Witchfinder, the BBC Two comedy series starring Tim Key and Daisy May Cooper, will not return for a second series.

The comedy, written by Alan Partridge writers Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons, and also featuring Jessica Hynes, Daniel Rigby and Tuwaine Barrett in regular roles, was broadcast in March and April 2022 to mixed reviews.

A BBC spokesperson has now said: "Sometimes we have to make difficult choices and sadly The Witchfinder won't be returning. We thank everyone involved in the show."

Set in 1647, the six-part series followed witchfinder Gideon Bannister (Key) and his suspect Thomasine Gooch (May Cooper) as they took a road-free road trip through an England gripped by civil war, famine and plague so that Bannister could publicly try Gooch as a witch in Chelmsford.

The Sun newspaper quotes a source as saying the decision to end the show was partly made due to declining viewing figures: "The Witchfinder kicked off with decent ratings but quickly plunged to a level where execs just couldn't justify giving it a second season.

"It's fair to say the concept was fairly niche so it was always going to be tricky finding an audience, even on BBC Two.

"But although it won't be coming back, its departure does make way for new comedy projects on the Beeb."

Tim Key is now touring his live comedy show Mulberry whilst Daisy May Cooper will next be seen on screen in new BBC comedy Rain Dogs.