BBC to celebrate Twenty Years of Not Going Out with a special documentary

You're not going to want to be out for this one!

With 106 episodes (and counting), Not Going Out, co‑written by and starring Lee Mack, is the longest‑running British sitcom currently on air. As it reaches its 20th anniversary on the 6th October, BBC One has revealed plans to celebrate with a special documentary.

Not Going Out is beloved for its quick‑fire gags, inventive set‑pieces and unforgettable characters. Now, for the first time, Lee Mack will open the doors to the creative process behind the show that has defined two decades of BBC comedy.

Currently titled Twenty Years of Not Going Out, the anniversary documentary promises to take viewers on a guided tour through the funniest moments, featuring classic clips, exclusive archive material and never‑before‑seen outtakes.

Lee Mack will also reflect on the full history of the series from his unique perspective, sharing candid insights, behind‑the‑scenes stories and the surprising twists that shaped the show’s evolution.

The documentary will also go behind the scenes of the forthcoming series, offering unprecedented access as a brand‑new episode is made from the ground up. Cameras follow Lee and the creative team from the first spark of an idea in the writers’ room, through readthroughs and rehearsals, right up to the studio recording of a special birthday‑themed episode.

Cast and crew from across all eras of the sitcom will also appear, paying tribute to the show’s enduring success and reflecting on its remarkable legacy.

Not Going Out launched on 6th October 2006 and introduced us to Lee, a juvenile and lazy slacker drifting from one job to another, a man unburdened by ambition or drive, living off the good graces of his Californian landlady.

That was before Lee’s best friend’s sister Lucy, played by Sally Bretton, bought the flat he lived in, setting in motion a will-they-won’t-they chain of events that led to the unlikely couple marrying in a highly emotional series finale and Lucy having a baby shortly after.

Next in Lee and Lucy’s lives, the show jumped forward eight years into their marriage and into the midst of a chaotic family life with three children. And the last series rolled the story on several years once more, with the couple moving away from their suburban ‘empty nest’.

Speaking ahead of this major milestone, Lee Mack said "After 20 years of Not Going Out we are delighted to finally give a warts and all peep behind the curtain of how it's made. Thankfully we have Hoovered behind that curtain, but unfortunately the warts have not cleared up."

To which the BBC's Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie, added "Reaching 20 years is an extraordinary achievement for any sitcom, and Not Going Out has more than earned its place in the comedy history books. Lee Mack and the whole team have created a show that continues to delight audiences with its sharp writing and brilliant performances."

"This documentary is a chance to celebrate everything the series has brought to the BBC over the past two decades, and to give viewers a rare look at how this much‑loved comedy is made. It’s a milestone well worth marking."

Not Going Out is now the UK’s all-time second longest-running by number of series, and fifth by number of episodes, and stars Lee Mack as Lee and Sally Bretton as Lucy.

Over the years, regular cast have included Bobby Ball, Abigail Cruttenden, Hugh Dennis, Megan Dodds, Deborah Grant, Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Timothy West, Geoffrey Whitehead and Katy Wix.

Made by Avalon, Twenty Years Of Not Going Out is produced by Adam McLean and will be executive produced by Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, Lee Mack and Jon Thoday.

Twenty Years Of Not Going Out will air later this year on BBC One