A 'highly offensive' ITV comedy is returning to screens for a brand new series, despite sparking Ofcom complaints and major controversy from shocked viewers.
Piglets, which follows a ragtag bunch of police recruits and their trainers at training college, is set to make a comeback after the first six-part series was released in July last year.
Filming of the new six episodes has already started and will see many cast members return, including Friday Night Dinner's Mark Heap and Mistresses' Sarah Parish as two of the superintendents in charge.
With series one viewed a whopping 5.6 million times, it is one of the biggest comedies for on-demand platform ITVX.
But despite this, it is seen by many as highly controversial, with the Police Federation of England and Wales describing the programme's title - based on the derogatory slang for police, 'pig' - as 'highly offensive'.
Tiffany Lynch, acting national chair for the organisation representing more than 145,000 officers, said in July last year: 'It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme.'
In just the single week after the release of Piglets, more than 100 people complained about it to Ofcom.
The 106 concerns raised with the broadcast regulator similarly claimed the show, particularly the title, was disrespectful to the police.
But some former officers, even, did not agree with the contention, taking to social media at the time of the Police Federation's comments last year to blast its strong criticism of the programme.
One, with 30 years experience as a police officer, said: 'Do get a grip. It's a comedy. Focus on issues that really affect your members.'
Another added: 'Very good. You have bigger fish to fry than that.
'Unless and until the governance issues are rectified, your members really don't need you to focus on anything else. It's looking pretty poor from out here.'
Someone else with experience in the force said: 'It's just a comedy show. I was called far worse.
'You should be fighting for equality and fighting to rectify the mistakes you made over the pension scheme not getting involved in TV programmes.'
Some former officers, even, did not agree with the contention taking to social media (pictured) at the time of the Police Federation's comments last year to blast its strong criticism of the programme
Madelyn Smedley, who starred in series one of The Traitors, posted on Instagram yesterday (pictured) to announce her addition to the cast: 'Over the moon, going to be playing Danni in Piglets series two. Bring it on'
ITV posted to Instagram yesterday announcing the show's return - and fans took to the comments section (pictured), largely excited to see it back
An ITV spokesperson said at the time: 'Piglets is a fictional new comedy about a police training academy and the title is not intended to cause any offence, it's a comedic and endearing play on words to emphasise the innocence and youth of our young trainees.'
The upcoming second series will see Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries and Ricky Champ all reprise their roles as part of the training college staff.
The recruits themselves will also be returning, played by Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay, Jamie Bisping and Sukh Kaur Ojla.
Two new trainees will also be joining the cast, played by Kerr Logan and Madelyn Smedley—the latter having starred in series one of The Traitors.
This series' antics will see Mark and Sarah’s characters, Superintendents Bob Weekes and Julie Spry, battle to save their jobs.
A trainee wedding, an exciting rooftop chase and antics on an anger management course will round out the instalment.
British comedy writer Victoria Pile—known for early noughties sketch show Smack the Pony and hospital sitcom Green Wing—will co-direct, produce and co-write the series.