Lee Mack reveals biggest concerns for future of Not Going Out
Not Going Out creator Lee Mack has admitted he had some concerns in the early years of the BBC show.
Lee Mack was "worried" after Not Going Out lost its first two leading ladies.
The 58-year-old comedian, who is the creator and star of the long running BBC sitcom, has reflected on the show's early years which saw Catherine Tate appear in the pilot, and Megan Dodds last just one series as his character's landlady.
He told the Radio Times: "We made the pilot, Catherine Tate was the leading lady, and then she became very successful doing her own stuff.
"Then we did the first series with Megan Dodds and by series 2 she had gone.
"So when I first met Sally, I was already on my third leading lady. I was starting to think it was me."
Sally Bretton joined as Lucy in season two, and has appeared alongside Lee ever since.
There have been other stars who have had stints over the years too, including the likes of Tim Vine, Miranda Hart and Katy Wix.
Lee added: "But in a way, it was good in a way because it made me realise you have to get used to the change, and then we had so many casts coming and going, like Miranda [Hart], Katy [Wix], Bobby Ball, Tim Vine.
"At first I was worried, but then I realised that was very handy because it gives it a refresh all the time."
Not Going Out celebrated its 20th anniversary as the show returned this week for its 15th series, and Lee explained that he and the rest fo the creative team "always try and refresh it every few years".
That means a time jump for the new episodes, with Lee and Lucy's children now at university, which means the storylines can have a different focus.
He said: "It's very hard when you've got kids in a sitcom to not mention them... But if you say they're off at university, that's fine. They look after themselves.
"It's why we never did the baby. We jumped to the episode where we got married, and then the next episode they [the kids] were seven or eight years old.
"I didn't want Sally or me to be walking around with a papoose on."
Not Going Out is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
