It looks as though BBC viewers were less than impressed on Wednesday night after the first episode of a new sitcom aired on the broadcaster.

Can You Keep a Secret? Features Dawn French and Mark Heap playing the roles of husband and wife duo Debbie and William Fendon.

It follows widower Debbie stopping at nothing to make sure that her family is protected after her hermit-like husband dies out of the blue.

However, there's an unexpected twist: she's not actually a widow, as William isn't dead. After he was mistakenly declared as dead, Debbie makes the outlandish decision to play along and cash in his life insurance money, all he has to do is remain out of sight.

Although when their son Harry (Craig Roberts) finds out the truth, it's safe to say he's a bit frazzled seeing his 'dead' dad alive and well.

As the episode kicked off, it wasn't long before BBC viewers took to X to share their thoughts as it was clear many weren't impressed.

One person said: "Makes Mrs Brown look like a comedy masterclass. Wish the bbc had kept it a secret!" Someone else wrote: " Waiting for the comedy on @bbc #CanYouKeepaSecret."

Another viewer shared: "Not sure not raised a half hearted smile so far #CanYouKeepaSecret." While another commented: "Just awful."

However, not everyone had the same opinion as others thoroughly enjoyed the new series as one person commented: "That was lucky. I kept the TV on after #Traitors and Dawn French humour is cracking me up."

While another shared: "Same here. This is hilarious!"

However, it looks as though the comedy is set to take a sinister turn as the end of the episode revealed someone knows William is still alive, posting a ominious letter addressed to him through the letterbox.

A preview for the series afterwards showed a compliation of clips where it's clear the familiy's big secret has been rumbled and the mystery person wants money in exchange for silence, but who?

Speaking about her character in the sitcom, Dawn French said: "Right from the off I could see that she's one of those people that absolutely believes she's always right. I don't think I've ever done that in my life, been sat firmly in that righteous place the way Debbie is.

"I may have often imagined that I could be right, but I'll err on the side of thinking, 'I'm probably wrong about this'. Debbie just doesn't have that anxiety or filter. She's made a split decision in a mad moment, and once the decision is made, unless she's prepared to go to prison, she knows she'd better man up and deal with it.

"I mean, I've never been in this situation, but I guess once you make a life-changing decision like that, and you jump into the dilemma of it, you've got to gird your loins and get on with it because once you're in, you're in."

Can You Keep a Secret is available to watch on BBC iPlayer