First look at An Idiot Abroad: The Short Way Round with Karl Pilkington and Warwick Davis

Sky1's An Idiot Abroad has struck such a chord with viewers, it's become the channel's most successful factual series. In fact, two episodes also feature in the top 10 rated shows ever on Sky1.

Executively produced by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, An Idiot Abroad has endeared Karl Pilkington to an even wider audience, hungry for his pearls of wisdom on the likes of the Great Wall of China: "It's just a joke because a lot of it isn't even that old. It was restored in 1985 or something. It's like a lot of Wimpey homes in the 80s - you look at the brick and just think 'I could have bought that from Homebase'."

Little wonder Sky has commissioned An Idiot Abroad: The Short Way Round, but with a difference - as these first look pictures in Venice illustrate.

After first sending Karl to visit the Seven Wonders of the World, before despatching him on a bucket list adventure, Ricky Gervais has now persuaded the reluctant traveller to follow the footsteps of famous explorer Marco Polo from Italy to China.

But this time, Ricky's arranged for Warwick Davis, to keep him company.

Karl Pilkington has said: "I don't know how it will work out. Honestly. Edmund Hillary had that Tenzing fella, Ben Fogle had James Cracknell. I've been given an Ewok."

The odd couple will embark on a 5,000 mile journey from Venice to India and finally, the Far East.

Karl and Warwick on the road together should be fun; I'm almost wishing Warwick was dressed as an Ewok.

An Idiot Abroad: The Short Way Round airs on Sky1 in December.