ITV has said it has commissioned a second series of the Alan Carr comedy Changing Ends - despite the first yet to air on mainstream TV. The autobiographical comedy launched on ITVX earlier this year and has exceeded expectations, according to the broadcaster.

Announcing the move ITV said the show had attracted more viewers than any other comedy on ITVX this year. It added: "This puts us in a great position to be able to commission a second series ahead of series 1 launching on ITV1 in 2024."

The broadcaster said the second series will be six 30-minute shows and will again be made by multi-award-winning Baby Cow Productions which made both Gavin & Stacey and Alan Partridge.

Changing Ends is based on Alan’s own life in Northampton in the 1980’s growing up as the son of a fourth-division football manager. Filming will commence on the second series early next year and is expected to hit the ITVX screens in summer 2024.

However the first show has yet to air on the main ITV channel and it is expected to be shown at around the same time as the second series lands on ITVX.

The series is written by Alan Carr and co-created with Simon Carlyle, who sadly died in August at the age of 48. It will be directed by Dave Lambert and produced by Mollie Freedman-Berthoud. The Exec producers are Baby Cow’s Sarah Monteith and Rupert Majendie, Alan Carr and Danny Julian.

ITV’s Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes said: "The love for Changing Ends on ITVX has blown us away, Alan & Simon, the cast and crew created a brilliant series 1 and it’s so good to see viewers are really enjoying this new comedy. Just as the second series starts its production, the first series will have its linear TV premiere in Spring 2024 on ITV1."

Alan Carr said "Looks like we’re heading back to Northampton!! Absolutely buzzing that Changing Ends is back for a second series firstly because who doesn’t love a recommission but secondly on a completely selfish level I have so many more stories from my teenage years growing up in Northampton to tell, about me, my family, my neighbours and believe it or not football! Shocker!"

Producer Mollie Freedman Berthoud said: "Bringing Alan Carr's life to the screen with the most wonderful cast and crew has been so rewarding and fulfilling, so to be given a second series of Changing Ends is a dream come true. However, we are heartbroken to now have to take these steps without the magnificent Simon Carlyle. We miss him & his infectious laughter so much, but we feel honoured to be continuing the beautiful show he co-created.”

Baby Cow’s CEO Sarah Monteith said: "Changing Ends is a classic Baby Cow hit. Though driven by the funny and the feelgood, it has something serious to say about prejudice. Alan’s writing is a masterclass in wit and wisdom."

Baby Cow’s co-founder and Creative Director Steve Coogan said: "Alan Carr, brilliant and beloved as a comedian, broadcaster and writer, has made the move into sitcom-making look effortless. As thrilled as I am that Baby Cow is getting to make a second series of Changing Ends (very funny/moving, audiences are bound to love the next chapter) I do hope he has to break a sweat this time."