Ghosts actor Jim Howick plays down the fears of the sitcom's demise

'Ghosts' star Jim Howick thinks the sitcom is alive and well.

The 45-year-old actor, who has also featured in sitcoms such as 'Peep Show' and 'Here We Go', does not subscribe to the notion that the classic comedy format is under threat.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards on Tuesday (25.03.25), Jim said: "I don't think so. It depends what you mean by the traditional sitcom. There hasn't been a live studio sitcom in a long time.

"I think trends come and go. It's like anything, it's like music, it's like fashion. These things sort of evolve round and before long I'm sure there'll be a number of studio sitcoms if that's sort of the more traditional ones.

"We've had a lot of single-camera sitcoms. I don't think anything's under threat as far as the style is concerned. There's a danger it might be under threat as far as funding is concerned but that's another matter."

Jim was part of the team that created the acclaimed BBC comedy 'Ghosts' and thinks that the collection of characters from different historical periods was the key to the programme's success.

He said: "It's the characters really, I think. I think that establishing a family with characters from different points in time, different sensibilities, different ethics, creating a family dynamic with perfect strangers. That's what's appealing to people and that's what's appealing to families."

'Ghosts' ended after five series in 2023 and Howick thinks that the show would have to be in a different format if it ever did return to screens.

The former 'Horrible Histories' star said: "I'll never say never because I really miss doing it but I don't think it will return in its sitcom format if it does return."

Jim was nominated in the Comedy Performance – Male category for his portrayal of Paul Jessop in the BBC show 'Here We Go' and confirmed that two more series of the family comedy are in the pipeline.

He said: "We finished filming the new series, series three, in December and then we're filming another series next year."