Get ready for the ultimate pub crawl, with a twist! Popular comedian Joe Lycett is set to unleash his unique brand of mayhem on east London's streets as he opens 'The Lycett Arms', a one-hour-a-week pub that's equal parts laugh-out-loud comedy and bureaucratic nightmare. The 37-year-old funnyman has been itching to bring this harebrained scheme to life, and Channel 4 is more than happy to oblige with a new six-part live series.
Lycett, known for his wicked sense of humour and love of poking fun at the system, is revelling in the prospect of navigating the treacherous waters of personal licence applications. "It's an extended process, I know!" he quips, "but who doesn't love a good dose of government-mandated paperwork?" He's not just joking – Lycett genuinely can't wait to embark on this "fun" journey, and even has to pinch himself when reminded that creating the TV series is merely a means to an end. "What a letdown," he chuckles.
As we go behind the scenes of 'The Lycett Arms', each instalment promises to deliver more of what you love about Joe – witty one-liners, sharp satire, and plenty of laughs. The pub itself will be welcoming guests every week, including a celebrity guest manager, and its fictional twin will add an extra layer of fun to the proceedings. To get this show on the road, Lycett must first pass with flying colours in his Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders exam – no pressure, then.
Channel 4's Tom Beck has been beavering away behind the scenes to secure Lycett's return to our screens. "It was a delicate dance of negotiations and promises," he reveals, "but we're thrilled to have Joe back on board." And what did it take to seal the deal? "Well, let's just say we had to promise him plenty of admin – and not just any admin, but the kind that'll keep him up late at night, tweaking forms and worrying about licence applications."
The series is gearing up for its big debut on Channel 4 this autumn, with a precise launch date still under wraps. But one thing's for sure: it'll be worth staying up late for – Lycett's unique blend of comedy, satire, and good old-fashioned mayhem will have you hooked from the get-go.