COMIC Dave Spikey's new show based around the antics of a newspaper office is unlikely to be granted a second series.

ITV bosses are disappointed at audience figures which have fallen as low as 2.6 million, after the first episode attracted 3.4 million viewers. There are plans to move the programme from 10pm on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday.

Spikey has put the lack of enthusiasm among viewers down to "bad luck". Channel 4 achieved far higher figures for the same slot with smash hit US show Desperate Housewives, which has picked up five million viewers.

ITV said it was too early to say whether a second series would be commissioned.

A spokesman said: "The programme was not performing as well as we had hoped in its 10pm slot on a Wednesday which is why we have made the decision to move the final episode to Thursday."

Dead Man Weds was written by and starred former Royal Bolton Hospital worker Dave Spikey.

It was made by Manchester's Red Production Company and also stars Johnny Vegas.

Spikey said: "Everyone I speak to says they love it.

"It's just really bad luck that it's up against Desperate Housewives which had a £1 million advertising campaign to support it.

"It's not the quality of the programme that has got these viewing figures, it's simply the fact that it's up against that.

"There should be a second series and ITV haven't said no yet, but it looks unlikely."