Marley’s Ghosts – the critically acclaimed sitcom about a woman haunted by three ghosts – is to return for a second series.

Made by UKTV and broadcast on Gold last year, the show stars Sarah Alexander (Undercover, Smack the Pony) as Marley – who discovers she can talk to the dead, and ends up moving three ghosts into her house. John Hannah (A Touch of Cloth, Paul Calf’s Video Diaries) plays Marley’s husband Adam, Nicholas Burns (Nathan Barley, The Mighty Boosh) plays her lover Michael, and Jo Joyner (Trying Again, No Angels) plays the local Vicar – all deceased, and complicating Marley’s life.

The three episodes last year were a ratings smash for Gold, with the premiere seeing their ratings share up 337%, and the whole run averaging a 243% rise to become Gold’s second highest rated show of last year.

The second series – now a six part run – sees Marley put through the minefield of moody teenagers, jealous neighbours, and new romances, while her resident ghosts continue to inflict havoc along the way.

The series is also made by John Stanley Productions, which was formed by Matt Lucas. Commenting on the new commission, he said: “I’m thrilled that this series is returning. The writing is consistently inventive and original and the cast bring it to life brilliantly.”

Executive Producer Simon Lupton added: “The pilot run of Marley’s Ghosts received an overwhelmingly positive response from our viewers.  Launching scripted comedies can be a challenge so we are incredibly proud of this series and its performance and couldn’t wait to give Danny Peacock the go ahead to take us back into that world.  We are happy to announce that the fantastic cast of Sarah Alexander, John Hannah, Nicholas Burns and Jo Joyner are returning to the series and will be bringing Marley, Adam, Michael and the Vicar back to life (so to speak) for us.”

Marley’s Ghosts will return later this year.