Comedy and entertainment channel U&Dave bring back their #1 ranked programme of 2024 – Will and Ralf Should Know Better.

Daily Mail – “a funny emotional journey”

Daily Telegraph – “the odd moving confession between the laughter and bantz gives some emotional helft”

Radio Times – “thanks to the pair’s chemistry, this is a surprisingly rewarding watch”

Sun TV Mag – “cracking viewing”

Following on from the success of series one, real-life friends and podcast co-stars, Will Mellor and Ralf Little will reappear on U and U&Dave for more Will & Ralf Should Know Better (6x60’). Produced by Afro-Mic productions, this series will air in two blocks of three episodes and see the dynamic duo continue to explore how to grow, adapt and thrive in midlife.

Each episode of Will & Ralf Should Know Better will see the pair meeting fascinating characters, exploring different worlds, and taking on a variety of challenges from performing stand-up comedy for the first time, surviving the most haunted pub in the UK, to orienteering in the wild with no phones. Viewers will once again enjoy the unmistakeable bond between Will and Ralf as they once again join forces, pushing each other outside of their comfort zone. The show offers an unfiltered inside look at the honest conversations and easy camaraderie that comes from years of genuine friendship.

Will Mellor said, “We’re back! I’m so happy to be making a second series of this show with Ralf - we had so much fun filming series one and it seems the public loved it just as much as us. The reaction to series one was overwhelming, and I can’t wait to dive back in with U&Dave and Afro-Mic”

Ralf Little said, “Somehow, they’ve let us do this again! I’m buzzing to be back with Will for round two — more adventures, more questionable decisions, and probably more moments where we ask, ‘What on earth are we doing?’. I’m incredibly grateful for the response to the first series, and I can’t wait to get started on the next!”

The first series which launched on U and U&Dave in October 2024 saw episode one launch to a consolidated audience of 249k, which is up +85% vs the slot average. The series averaged at 530k for Total Consumption, peaking on episode one with 593k. Will & Ralf Should Know Better series one was the number one ranking U&Dave series on streaming platform, U, during the month of launch.

The show also saw over 10million views across U and U&Dave’s social channels and over 230k engagements, making it the most successful show on U&Dave socials in 2024.

Will and Ralf Should Know Better is commissioned for UKTV by Jason Dawson, Commissioning Executive. The series is ordered for U&Dave by Adam Collings, Director of Programming, Factual & Factual Entertainment and Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning. Executive producers for Afro-mic Productions are Alison Foster and Emma-Rosa Dias, with Sheila Risk and Tommy Forbes serving as series producer and series director respectively.

Jason Dawson said, “The U&Dave audience completely fell in love with Will & Ralf’s incredible chemistry, emotional depth, and cheeky charm the first time round, so we’re delighted to be bringing them much more of it. 

To be honest, after the boys’ learning so much about themselves and each other in series one, I was concerned that they might’ve become a little too sensible ahead of series two! However, from early conversations with the pair and the brilliant team at Afro-Mic, I'm happy to confirm that there’s still plenty of work to be done!”

Adam Collings said, "Will and Ralf were hugely popular with U&Dave viewers throughout the first series, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have them back on the channel. This series promises more of their mischievous charm as we watch them continue to explore whether they should know better!”

Emma-Rosa Dias and Alison Foster Executive Producers for Afro-Mic Productions said, "We’re delighted to be bringing Will & Ralf Should Know Better back to U&DAVE. In the first series the boys made us cry with laughter - and sometimes just cry - as they got to grips with the modern world and opened up about their lives. We can't wait to see what happens next as they take on even bigger challenges in series two."

Will & Ralf Should Know Better will air in two separate blocks of three episodes each, with the first three airing later this year and the rest to follow in 2026.

For more information, please contact: 

Jasmine Brewer - Publicist, UKTV
Max Harrington - Communications Assistant, UKTV

Notes for editors:

Viewing Stats:
BARB: Individuals 4+, All Platforms
Programme launch data is 7 day consolidated
Programme rankings based on TV and Online Pre-Broadcast Online 1-28 Day
Total Consumption based on 28 day viewing and includes L/V, PVR, VOD (D2C and Paid) and all same week rpts.

Social Stats: Native organic social data (Oct-Nov 2024).

About U 

U is UKTV’s free streaming service, providing instant access to shows from UKTV's free-to-air channels – U&Dave, U&DRAMA U&W and U&YESTERDAY. Viewers can browse 8,500 hours of programming – including exclusive content, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes across drama, (Whitstable Pearl, Marlow Murder Club, Annika, Sister Boniface Mysteries, Sons of Anarchy, Mike, Madam Secretary, A Million Little Things, The Shield, The Bill, Classic EastEnders, Holby City plus upcoming series in 2025 such as Bergerac and Outrageous), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone, Rosie Jones’s Comedy Disability Extravaganza), entertainment (Battle in the Box, Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads), and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash, Orlando Bloom: To The Edge). U is available through the U app via computer, tablet or smart phone, or on television with Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, NOW and Roku. 

About U&Dave 

U&Dave is the award-winning entertainment channel home to a veritable feast of U&Original comedy entertainment hits from some of the biggest stars in the UK - like BAFTA-winning Big Zuu's Big Eats, Battle In The Box, World's Most Dangerous Roads, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza, David Mitchell's Outsiders, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, Jamali Maddix: Follow The Leader and Will & Ralf Should Know Better. U&Dave is also the free-to-air home of thrilling US acquisitions such as Orlando Bloom: To The Edge and dramas Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, and Mike. U&Dave crowns its winner of U&Dave's Joke of the Fringe at the Edinburgh festival each year. 

About Afro-Mic Productions

Afro-Mic Productions is an award-winning production company and one of the UK’s fastest growing indies based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A former recipient of Small Indie of The Year (Edinburgh TV Festival 2023) they produce high quality, award winning factual entertainment for audiences around the globe.