It looks like stand-up comedian Tim Vine won’t be returning to his role on BBC sitcom Not Going Out when the show comes back for its eighth series next year.

Tim left the show, written by and starring Lee Mack, after the fifth series in 2012, but made a cameo in the seventh series to attend the wedding of central characters Lee and Lucy (Sally Bretton).

The Beeb renewed Not Going Out for a new series in 2017, showcasing life for Lee and Lucy now that they are married parents. But Lucy’s brother Tim won’t be joining them, based on a chat I had with the stand-up comedian ahead of the release of his new live DVD Tim Timinee Tim Timinee Tim Tim To You.

He said: “No, I won’t be back on Not Going Out, although I was very proud to have been part of something that I think is the funniest studio sitcom in the last ten years.”

Tim said that he remains a fan of the show and had plenty of praise for its creator, who is probably the only person who loves puns and wordplay as much as he does.

He said: “I am biased, but really I think Lee Mack deserves more credit for the work and writing he does on that. I’m looking forward to the new series very much.”

My full chat with Tim will be up later in the week and Tim Timinee Tim Timinee Tim Tim To You will be available in the shops from Monday, November 28 – in plenty of time for Christmas.

Will you miss Tim Vine when Not Going Out returns? Are you a fan of the show? What are your favourite moments? Let me know in the comments section.