Brits turn to classic comedy box sets during coronavirus crisis

Classic comedies like \'Dad\'s Army\' and \'Only Fools and Horses\' are enjoying a resurgence - with Brits increasingly turning to box sets to banish the boredom of staying indoors.

Streams of \'Dad\'s Army\' box sets are up by 211 per cent in the last 10 days - and \'Only Fools and Horses\' streams have increased by 87 per cent during the same period, according to new figures released by NOW TV.

Marina Storti, NOW TV\'s managing director, suggests it is "no surprise" as "iconic" characters like Captain Mainwaring from \'Dad\'s Army\' and Del Boy from \'Only Fools and Horses\' provide people with a sense of "home comfort".

She said: "It\'s no surprise Brits are turning to their TV for comfort. When you can\'t always see your friends and family, an iconic character, like Del Boy and Rodney, or Captain Mainwaring, are the next best thing to a familiar face and a little \'home comfort\'.

"Now\'s the time our customers are catching up on all the brilliant classics, helping to make their time at home that much more exciting."

Another British comedy, \'Peep Show\' - which stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb - has also seen an increase in streams, up by 38 per cent.

American dramas are also proving popular at this time.

HBO\'s \'The Wire\' has seen streaming go up by a third, and mafia series \'The Sopranos\' has surged 21 per cent.

And it\'s not solely television programmes which are being increasingly streamed into peoples homes. Dystopian movies are experiencing an upturn in fortunes, too.

Simon Pegg\'s zombie film \'Shaun of The Dead\' has gone up by 108 per cent and \'I Am Legend\'- which stars Will Smith - has surged by 96 per cent.

For those looking for light relief, to re-watch their favourite show or to try out a classic for the first time, NOW TV has over 300 box sets on offer including \'Game of Thrones\', \'The Sopranos\', \'The Wire\' and \'Sex and the City\'.