The Power Of Parker is to return to BBC One for a second series.

The comedy averaged 2.2 million viewers (across 28 days) when it made its debut in July 2023, making it the biggest new scripted comedy of the year. Set at the turn of the 1990s, it followed Parker, the proprietor of a small chain of electrical appliance shops, dumped by his mistress - also his sister-in-law - at the same time that a family of vicious local criminals called in an illegal loan he had secured from them, and the ensuing collapse of every aspect of his life.

Conleth Hill, Sian Gibson and Rosie Cavaliero are set to return for six new episodes, with scripts again written by Paul Coleman and Gibson.

The BBC tease: "It's 1992, the Queen is in the midst of her annus horribilis, John Major is the new PM, and Whitney's I Will Always Love You is stuck at number one. Up in Stockport, Kath, Martin and Diane are just trying their best to get along.

"Martin Parker has hit rock bottom and is desperate to get his reputation back, Diane is adjusting to single life and running a business, while Kath is getting her happily ever after with her man by her side and is working on rekindling a relationship with her sister. She's on a mission to sort things out for her sister and her man, but her interfering does the opposite and jeopardises everything. They will need to depend on each other now more than ever, but who do they trust?"

Sian Gibson says: "We have been overwhelmed by the lovely response to the first series, and so excited to be back with the dysfunctional Parker family and turn their lives upside down again, with bigger problems and bigger hair."

Paul Coleman says: "Thrilled to be back in early 90s Stockport, when it still had a Woollies and I received a full student grant."

Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC, says: "The Power Of Parker hit the ground running with its irresistible combination of sharp scripts brimming with jokes, nostalgia and outstanding comic performances. We're excited about the fun ideas Sian, Paul, and the Boffola Pictures team have faxed over for Series 2."

Kate Daughton, executive producer at Boffola Pictures, says: "We're delighted the BBC have given us the opportunity to make more episodes of The Power Of Parker. Paul and Sian are phenomenally talented writers, bursting with hilarious new ways to put Cath, Diane & Martin through their paces. We can't wait to see you back in 90s Manchester."

This news was announced at the BBC Comedy Festival in Glasgow. The BBC also confirmed Outnumbered is to return for a new festival special, Series 14 of Not Going Out will be broadcast in 2025, Series 2 of Mammoth, LGBTQ+ chosen family sitcom Smoggie Queens and a series for Funboys, a former BBC Comedy Short Film.

In a speech to producers, Jon Petrie called for the TV industry to "save our sitcoms" with a focus on "protecting homegrown storytelling and creating the next generation of classics". He added: "Mainstream comedy is what viewers love best. It's written right through our comedy heritage and is so close to our hearts. It can tell our stories and bring us together like nothing else. That's why audiences and critics feel so passionately about it and have such a strong sense of ownership. We want producers to take risks and create the next generation of classic sitcoms and immortal characters that audiences will keep returning to for decades to come."