Comedian David Baddiel visited RSPCA's animal centre in Halifax for Channel 4 series

Comedian, writer and lifelong cat devotee David Baddiel dropped in at the animal centre on Wade Street for his new series for Channel 4.

David Baddiel: Cat Man will follow David as he sets out on a nationwide journey to meet extraordinary cats and their equally passionate owners.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch said: “We had such a great day with David and the film crew - from meeting our incredible rescue cats/kittens to learning about life inside the cattery….and we may or may not have the team feel very guilty for not adopting one of our feline residents.

“Cat Man is a new three-part series where David Baddiel explores the wonderful world of cats and you can spot us on your screen Friday, January 23 at 8pm on Channel 4.

“We are so grateful that David chose to highlight rescue cats as part of the show and help shine a spotlight on the amazing animals waiting for their forever homes.”

David Baddiel said: “I’ve been in many meetings over many years with TV commissioners and at the end of them, they often say ‘and do you have any other ideas?’ And I always say: ‘Yes, there should be a TV show about cats.’ And mostly they’ve laughed, thinking I’m joking. I’ve never been joking. There’s always been TV about dogs. Which is fine. But meanwhile there are 12.5 million pet cats in the UK. 29 per cent of households have a cat.

"The internet’s been won by cats, so why not TV? Anyway, finally, Channel 4 has realised I’m not joking and commissioned it. Which is great, because I just really love cats, and this will allow me to hang out with them a lot.

"I presently have four of my own, and I’m very, very happy to disprove the myth that someone with that many must be a mad old cat woman, by being on Channel 4 as an out and proud mad old cat man.”

David Baddiel: Cat Man begins on Channel 4 at 8pm on January 23.