David Farnor | On 17, Aug 2019

Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, is returning to Channel 4 for a supersized run of eight hour-long episodes. The series casts the comic as Britain’s customer service hero, who fight the good fight on behalf of the British public. After battling a raft of consumer complaints from the likes of Britannia Hotels and easyJet in Season 1, Joe not only managed to change the policies of several multinational giants including Uber Eats, SpareRoom and RBS but also got thousands of pounds of people’s money back and celebrated everyday customer service heroes.

The first season, which aired in April this year, attracted a consolidated audience of over 1.4 million and was up 28 per cent on slot with 16 – 34s. The clip of Joe and a flashmob performing a song and dance routine at NatWest HQ to get victim of bank fraud Claire’s £8k back has had 9.1 million views on Facebook to date and Joe’s now legendary setting up of an Uber Eats restaurant in a skip has so far been seen by over 4 million.

“Satisfying and entertaining” is how we described the first season in our review.

“With amusing commentary from guest Kathy Burke and assistance from a deadpan Mark Silcox, the result balances stunts and sharply focused campaigning with a charisma that’s all Lycett’s own,” we added. “Finally, someone answers the question of what it would be like if Anne Robinson did stand-up comedy.”

With more scams, dodgy practises and unacceptable consumer standards at large, national business will be once again be exposed in Season 2, and Joe will also look to uncover those solo rogues exploiting innocent victims such as cowboy builders and crooked car salesmen.

The sophomore run will also see the return of consumer sidekick and technical assistant Mark Silcox as they dial up both the funny and the justice alongside some celebrity consumer helpers. The audience will also form a key part of the series but may not always be aware… they’re part of Joe’s team now.

Lycett says: “Got Your Back was my dream job because it let me do two of my favourite things – be an idiot and shove two fingers up to greedy corporations. I’m over the moon we’re back for longer episodes and a longer series and if I’m not at least banned from a high street bank by the end of it I will see that as a failure.”

Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor for Features & Formats at Channel 4, adds: “We are delighted that the brilliantly talented Joe is back on Channel 4 for another series of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back. Season 2 promises more stunts, more confrontation, more secret filming and a lot more Mark Silcox. Joe’s unique gift of making complaining funny, whilst still getting results, is something that resonates with us all. We could all do with being a bit more Joe.” 

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