A popular BBC comedy series is set to return and will include an EastEnders legend in the cast.

The broadcaster has confirmed that filming has begun for the fourth series of Mandy, directed by and starring actress and comedian Diane Morgan, 49.

Mandy first premiered in 2020 and follows the life of jobless Mandy Carter, portrayed by Diane, and her friend and salon owner Lola, played by Michelle Greenidge, 55.

Previous instalments saw Mandy on her quests to find work that often involves chaotic twists, including when she stopped a terrorist attack as an air stewardess.

Another episode even saw Mandy apply to be an astronaut as part of a mission to get to Mars.

The new series is set to follow Mandy on her usual adventures including ‘dodgy side hustles and trashy cash hacks’, while dealing with her benefits officer, played by Tom Basden, 45.

EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison, 59, will also feature in the new show after last appearing on the beloved soap 13 years ago in 2012. 

Actress and comedian Diane Morgan, 49, as Mandy Carter in the comedy series, Mandy

Mandy first premiered in 2020 and follows the life of jobless Mandy Carter, portrayed by Diane

EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison, 59, will also feature in the new show after last appearing on the beloved soap 13 years ago in 2012

Read More I sobbed when I was forced to resort to food banks after EastEnders fame, admits Cheryl Fergison

Her iconic character, Heather Trott, was axed when she was murdered during a whodunit storyline. 

Other new stars on the series include Sian Gibson from Peter Kay’s Car Share, Rosie Cavaliero, Jamie Bisping and Joanna Bacon. 

Diane Morgan said: ‘I couldn’t be more thrilled to be asked to provide a quote for a press release that tells people how thrilled I am that the BBC is bringing back Mandy. 

‘However I am too busy writing, directing and starring in the show to come up with anything, so I’ve asked someone else to write it. They are thrilled.’

While Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy said: ‘Series three saw Mandy save a plane from a terrorist attack, commit mᴀss murder with a blowpipe, and get fired from a biscuit factory. 

‘Mandy gets bigger, bolder, and more brilliantly absurd with every series – and we’re here for every hilarious moment of Diane Morgan’s brilliant creation.’

Previous instalments saw Mandy on her quests to find work that often take chaotic twists, including when she stopped a terrorist attack as an air stewardess

The BBC has confirmed that filming of the new series of Mandy has begun 

The new series is set to follow Mandy on her usual adventures including ‘dodgy side hustles and trashy cash hacks’

Last year, Cheryl revealed she ‘sobbed’ when she was forced to resort to food banks after finding fame on the soap as she discussed her financial woes on This Morning.

The actress bravely spoke about her financial ruin with hosts Cat Deeley, 48, and Dermot O’Leary, 51.

She said: ‘My life sort of paralleled hers a little bit in some things, including things like going to the food bank, that’s the sort of thing that Heather would have done, I’m sure.’

She continued: ‘So, it’s weird to know that what I portrayed is something that is happening to millions. It shouldn’t be happening, but it is.’

On finding herself in debt prior to visiting the foodbank, Cheryl told Cat and Dermot: ‘I think that’s a perception for everybody, that when you’re on the telly, you’re earning loads of money all the time, and it’s great.’

‘I was earning a good wage there [but] I’ve always lived in council estates, so I’d never really had money.’

‘We’d never really been brought up with money, we’d never managed money very well as a family.’

Last year, Cheryl revealed she ‘sobbed’ when she was forced to resort to food banks after finding fame on the soap as she discussed her financial woes on This Morning

Revealing how she wanted to treat her family once she started earning money from the show, she said: ‘When I was in EastEnders, you suddenly get this money, and I thought, “I’m going to treat my friends and my family to holidays and things that they never had”… It was kind of frittered away.’

The star was sadly diagnosed with womb cancer in 2015 which left her unable to work. 

She added: ‘I was stressing to the utmost, sometimes claiming benefits when I was not well [with cancer] but tried not to, because I always see people and I think they’re in a worse situation than me, so they need it more than I do.

‘But, it got to the stage where I was kind of going, “Oh, I’ll just borrow that, because I’m going to get a job. I know I’ll get another job”.’ 

Previous series of Mandy are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.