Simon Day thinks TV comedy is struggling without more 'working class sitcoms'

Simon Day thinks TV comedy is dying because of a lack of "working class sitcoms".

The 'Fast Show' star - who is known for playing character like Dave Angel on the classic sketch show - insisted there needs to be better representation and variety from comedy programmes across television and radio.

He's quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "There's not nearly as much stuff as there used to be on telly or as much good stuff on the radio or TV from working-class writers.

"You don't get many working-class sitcoms anymore."

The 60-year-old star pointed to the likes of 'Only Fools And Horses', 'Steptoe and Son' and more iconic sitcoms, and suggested their spirit is missing from contemporary TV schedules.

He added: "I just grew up at the right time with 'Morecambe and Wise', and those incredible sitcoms 'Steptoe And Son', 'Likely Lads', 'Porridge', 'Only Fools And Horses', 'Till Death Do Us Part'.

"They were masterpieces and they were all working class stories, incredibly well acted, incredibly scripted and very believable."

His comments come after 'Only Fools' legend Sir David Jason - who played Del Boy - encouraged TV bosses to be more patient in the hunt for the next classic comedy, and to give new shows time to grow and develop before getting cancelled.

He said: "It was not greeted well. With comedy you have to give it time to breathe, so the audience can learn about the characters.

"We got another series and even given the chance to keep improving. They don't want to do that these days, they just want the audience figures."

And Patrick Murray - who played Mickey Pearce in the show - suggested any potential revival would be watered down.

He claimed: "It would be lovely to do another one but I do worry we would be constrained because we can’t take the mickey out of each other.

“Rodney was a plonker, but nowadays people would find calling each other ‘plonkers’ offensive.

“The woke thing has got a bit ridiculous. People with nothing better to do will write in saying they’ve been insulted.”