ITV police comedy show lands second series despite being 'absolutely slammed' by viewers

ITV police comedy Piglets has been confirmed for a second series despite viewers and critics slamming the show.

The comedy, which follows a newly recruited group of six very different would-be cops at a police training college, aired in July.

However, the show faced backlash from critics and the Police Federation was also up in arms over its 'offensive' title.

But Ricky Champ, 44, who stars as Daz, has since revealed that ITV is planning to stick with the show and filming for the next instalment will begin next year.

Speaking on the Reading Between The Lines podcast , he said: 'Piglets has been commissioned for series two.'

He continued: 'It's crazy because we got absolutely slammed.'

'The first series came out, and it was met with absolute venom – across the board.'

'Immediately, I thought, "That's that done". But it got good figures and ITV obviously noticed that.'

The news comes after The Police Federation was blasted by ex-cops after they said the name of the new ITV comedy 'Piglets' is 'disgusting' and 'offensive' and former officers told service bosses to 'get a grip... it's a joke'.

Earlier this year, the Police Federation released a statement slamming the show.

The word 'pig' is a word sometimes used in a derogatory way towards police officers - however according to sources the show is not satirical or political.

Tiffany Lynch, Acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said at the time: 'The new ITV show titled 'Piglets' is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service.'

'It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme. I find it incredulous that this has passed through checks and balances at an organisation made up of people who at any time have or may need the support and assistance of the police.'

'Our colleagues are working hard and keeping people safe under relentless negative pressure at the moment, insulting our new in-service officers is unhelpful.'

'The name of this show is also inflammatory against a landscape of rising threats and violence against officers. We should not be put at further risk for viewing numbers, our officers deserve respect not humiliation for the job they are undertaking.'

'It is actually incredibly dangerous to incite more negativity and misinformation against a public sector service that's already under so much pressure.'

The CEO of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Mukund Krishna, also added that they would be making a formal complaint to Ofcom and ITV.

However, former officers took to social media to blast the Federation's response to the show and said the series is a comedy.

A former officer, with 30 years experience, said on Twitter/X: do get a grip. It's a comedy. Focus on issues that really affect your members.'

One former officer commented: '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.'

Another ex-police officer 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 programs.'

A show spokesman said '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.'

MailOnline has contacted the Police Federation for comment.