Joe Wilkinson and David Earl team up for U&Gold's 'Joe & David's Magical Sitcom Tour'

The three-part series will follow them as they explore their love of classic British sitcoms.

U&Gold has announced a new three-part series, in which comedians, writers, performers and podcasters Joe Wilkinson and David Earl team up for Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour.

Part travelogue, part buddy comedy and part retrospective, Joe Wilkinson and David Earl will bring their camaraderie and love of comedy to the screen as they explore their love of classic British sitcoms.

In each episode, one of the pair will plan a specially themed and surprising day out for the other, with each taking it in turns. Basing each leg of their Magical Sitcom Tour on The Office, Porridge and Fawlty Towers, they’ll visit filming locations, reenact their favourite iconic moments and hear amazing behind-the-scenes tales from cast, crew and very special guests.

In the episode exploring The Office, Joe & David meet up with David Brent himself, series co-creator, co-writer and star Ricky Gervais, and are even treated to an up close and personal performance of the David Brent classic song Freelove Freeway.

Speaking ahead of the series airing, Joe Wilkinson said "I’ve been obsessed with sitcoms since I was a lad, so hunting about for locations and other bits and bobs related to some of my favourite shows is like a dream come true…and that’s why I refused to take a fee for this job."

To which David Earl added "I’m very grateful to UKTV for giving us the chance to make this series, something me and Joe have been talking about for ages. It honestly feels like I’ve won a competition where the prize is stepping through the TV screen into my favourite sitcom worlds. This 51 year old man is very happy indeed."

Made by Zeppotron (a Banijay UK company), Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour is series produced by James Fidler and executive produced by Peter Holmes and co-produced by Big Oval Plate, with Joe Wilkinson and David Earl as executive producers.

UKTV's senior commissioning editor, comedy entertainment, who commissioned the show, said "Joe Wilkinson and David Earl are the U&Gold audience. They don’t just admire these sitcoms, they love them with the same passion our viewers do. That’s what makes this show feel so special. It’s like watching two fans take us all along on their own personal love letter to comedy classics. They’re hilarious together, and that shared obsession means our audience will embrace them as one of their own."

To which UKTV's director of programming, comedy and entertainment, Gerald Casey, added "It’s an absolute delight to welcome Joe Wilkinson and David Earl back to U&Gold. Two of the country’s funniest men exploring our funniest shows, viewers are in for a treat.”

And executive producer Peter Holmes said "This show is the very definition of that overused TV term “passion project”. Joe and David love sitcoms and their affection for the form and for each other make them the perfect pair to take us on a tour of these comedy classics."

Joe & David’s Magical Sitcom Tour will air in 2026 on U&Gold