[Smithy]

Mock the Week will return for a eighth series in January, the BBC has announced.

The satirical quiz show, which stars Dara O'Briain, will air for six weeks, having already been recommissioned for two series by BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow.

Series producer Dan Patterson says: "We're delighted to be back for our eighth series. 2010 promises to bring a host of new targets for our team and our New Year's resolution is to welcome them with all our usual warmth, respect and best wishes."

The topical series, which has regularly attracted over 2 million viewers for BBC Two, will have more guest comedians following Frankie Boyle's departure.

The Scottish comedian has recently been under fire after a joke made about Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington breached BBC guidelines.

Panellists Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons and Russell Howard all return for the first winter run since 2007.



im not surpirised they have a guest panellist everyweek, no one would have been able to fill frankies shoes