‘Highly offensive’ ITV show set for second series despite police backlash

The six-partITV comedy series was a smash hit with fans after drawing in 5.6million views (Picture: ITV)

A ‘highly offensive’ ITV comedy show is set to return for a second series despite receiving backlash from the police.

Piglets, which follows a group of new police recruits as they train, will officially be returning to our screens.

Starring Superintendents Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and Julie Spry (Sarah Parish), the show originally caused huge controversy.

The Police Federation of England and Wales described the show’s title – which is based on the slang term ‘pig’ for police – as being ‘highly offensive’.

It also received a number of Ofcom complaints from viewers when it aired.

Now, however, after pulling in 5.6million views for its six episodes, the show is heading for a second outing.

Mark Heap, from Friday Night Dinner, and Sarah Parish star as two superintendents in Piglets (Picture: ITV) The series follows a group of police recruits in training (Picture: ITV)

Both Mark and Sarah will reprise their roles as Bob and Julie, as Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay and Jamie Bisping will also all feature.

Joining the cast will also be Madelyn Smedlyn, who featured in series 2 of The Traitors on BBC.

Maddy teased her involvement in the show by writing: ‘Over the moon gonna be playing Danni in piglets series 2.’

In a statement, Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV.’

Comment nowWill you be watching series 2 of Piglets?Comment Now

Commenting underneath the announcement for series 2, @gurveryark said on Instagram: ‘Look forward to watching this. Really enjoyed it reminded me if some people I have worked with.’

@arnieswartzpoop also added: ‘Well done, loved the 1st series ????❤️????.’

This comes after it was revealed that a ‘ridiculous’ TV show that never aired in the UK due to the October 7 attack will finally be released two years on.

In September 2023, the Australian series C*A*U*G*H*T was released.

The six-part series followed four Australian soldiers trapped after a secret mission to the war-torn Behati-Prinsloo, where they are mistaken for American spies and have no way home after their government abandons them.

The police federation criticised the title of the series (Picture: ITV) Season 2 of Piglets is also set to star a Traitors star from season 2 (Picture: ITV)

In a press release, the broadcaster shared the show’s synopsis, adding that it ‘unapologetically pokes fun at modern celebrity culture, social media and 24-hour news while exploring the often outrageous price of fame’.

After watching the show, many fans weighed in.

‘Acting and scripting is perfect for a slapstick comedy such as this,’ Rohan posted on IMDB.

‘If you are easily offended or shocked this is probably not for you. On one level it is silly crude slapstick, but there are lots of little clever jokes hidden away,’ rijobe shared.

‘Don’t be a snob and go into this thinking it is full of great performances and amazing storylines. That is not what it is trying to be. It’s a crazy Aussie fever dream and is not trying to be anything else,’ Suzie wrote.

Piglets will be available to watch on ITV.

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