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C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s hugely popular historical comedy sketch show Horrible Histories is set to delight and disgust ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One viewers in equal measure when it brings its unique blend of hideous humour and foul facts to the channel next year.

Featuring a selection of the best clips from series one and two, the six-part series will be hosted by Stephen Fry who will provide his own inimitable view on the historical topics featured in the series.

Produced by Lion Television and based on the bestselling books by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, Horrible Histories has been a critical and ratings success with C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ since it first launched in 2009.

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One series features performances and writing from some of the UK's finest comedy talent including David Baddiel, Meera Syal, Alexei Sayle, Steve Punt, Giles Pilbrow, Dave Lamb, Jim Howick, Sarah Hadland, Mathew Baynton, Ben Willbond and Martha Howe Douglas.

Packed full of strange facts, rotten rulers, gory battles, crazy inventions and weird and wonderful moments from British and international history, Horrible Histories covers every era from the Stone Age to World War Two.

From the Gorgeous Georgians to the Slimy Stuarts, the Vicious Vikings to the Vile Victorians, each episode features a mixture of sketches from different ages plus comedy songs include toe-tapping numbers Spartan School Musical and King Charles II rap in the style of Eminem.

And there are pastiches of some familiar television formats, including Victorian Dragon's Den, Historical Mastermind and Roman Come Dine With Me narrated by Dave Lamb and Georgian Wife Swap.

"Horrible Histories has been a hideously gruesome and gory success for C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and we are delighted to welcome it to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One," says Cassian Harrison, Commissioning Executive, History and Business, Science and Natural History.

"It not only features some of the finest in comedy writing and performances around, but it's packed full of amazing facts and narratives from across our history. It's already adored by children and their parents and we hope it's going to win a legion of new fans when it debuts on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One."

Controller C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Damian Kavanagh adds: "Horrible Histories is a wonderfully entertaining and hilarious watch for audiences of all ages. I am thrilled about the show's transfer to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One, which proves the current high quality of our output."

Horrible Histories is a Lion TV production for C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳. Executive Producer is Richard Bradley. The series producer Caroline Norris and director Dominic Brigstocke won this year's BAFTA for their work with Armstrong And Miller. Steve Connelly also directs.

The series earlier this year won the Prix Jeunesse for factual programmes, and won three BAFTA Awards.

The website has had 11 million hits since launch.

VT