David Walliams’ BBC1 sketch show Walliams and Friend to be axed after one series as ratings plummet to 2.3million viewers

DAVID Walliams’ BBC1 sketch show is expected to be axed after only one series due to low ratings and bad reviews.

Bosses had hoped Walliams and Friend would replicate the success of Little Britain after its pilot bagged six million viewers.

But just 2.3million watched him with Meera Syal last Friday and sources say the show is unlikely to return after this series ends.

A TV insider told The Sun: “David is a huge talent, but this just hasn’t really worked out. It’s still got a couple of weeks to run, but the feeling is this will be its final series.”

The show sees Britain’s Got Talent judge David, 45, joined by a guest star each week to perform a series of sketches.

Last year’s pilot on Christmas Eve co-starred Joanna Lumley, and proved a major ratings hit.

But this year’s line-up of guests, which has included Sheridan Smith, Harry Enfield and Jack Whitehall, has failed to replicate that success.

BBC bosses told The Sun that they will delay a final decision on the future of Walliams and Friend until after the series has ended.

Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville and Blackadder actress Miranda Richardson will appear in the two remaining episodes.