'Red Dwarf Was Ingored By The BBC' Says Danny John-Jules

Danny John-Jules has criticised the BBC for the way it treated Red Dwarf.

The actor played Cat on the sci-fi comedy, which ran from 1988 to 1999, and returns for a new series on Freeview channel Dave, which will air in 2012.

He told Digital Spy: "The BBC never really pushed Red Dwarf as one of their flagship shows, even though it was so successful. I think it all stems back to the commissioning days, when the BBC turned down [the show] twice.

"Isn't it ironic that it was Manchester that commissioned Red Dwarf - this guy Peter Ridsdale-Scott up in Manchester, who again was put out to pasture by the BBC!

"This wonderful guy... commissioned Red Dwarf against all the odds. And now the BBC's based in Manchester."

The actor believes the show is still under-appreciated, and that the cast would often be "ignored" within the corporation.

He continued: "There's no question that if I was in a show in Hollywood that had been running for 23 years, I'd be able to hang out with [Barack] Obama! We've not even had a cup of tea at the BBC! But it's not like it worries us - it's great to be a bit controversial.

"We never get invited to comedy awards shows or BBC luvvie shows, anything like that. Red Dwarf has made untold millions all over the world, but we're still not part of the furniture, if you know what I mean.

"We never had a pat on the back from anyone. But we're happy with that. We didn't mind being ignored at the BBC canteen and in the rehearsal room."

Shooting on the new series of Red Dwarf will begin in November.

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