Greg Davies has a ball with Zoë Wanamaker as they film scenes for the second series of The Cleaner

What happens when two actors encounter a giant testicle in a sleepy English town? The answer seemed clear as work on a new BBC series began this week.

Joined by a small camera crew, Greg Davies returned to his popular role as Paul “Wicky” Wickstead for the second series of sitcom The Cleaner set in leafy Buckinghamshire.

The Welsh comedian, 54, was joined by veteran actress Zoë Wanamaker – the latest established star to make a cameo in the hit series about the exploits of a crime-scene cleaner – as filming continued on Tuesday.

In a bizarre twist, the pair were seen swapping their lines for a huge testicle sculpture perched precariously on a small pedestal.

Wanamaker, 73, seemed oblivious to the decorative backdrop as she filmed with Davies, wearing the protagonist Wickstead’s cap and cargo pants as she observed an apparent crime scene.

Based on the German show Der Tatortreiniger, The Cleaner has been commissioned for a second series by the BBC after a preliminary six-episode run last October.

Having a ball: Greg Davies returned to his popular role as Paul “Wicky” Wickstead during the taping of the second series of sitcom The Cleaner on Tuesday in leafy Buckinghamshire

Face to face: The Welsh comedian was joined by veteran actress Zoë Wanamaker – the last established star to make a cameo appearance in the hit series about the exploits of a crime scene cleaner

Written and co-produced by Davies, the show sees cleaner Wickstead encounter an array of unusual characters in his day-to-day work.

The first series featured guest appearances from British stars Helena Bonham Carter, David Mitchell and Stephanie Cole, and series two was expected to welcome more established actors.

In addition to Wanamaker, Uncle’s Raquel Cassidy and Johnny English Strikes Again star Adam James are also expected to appear in roles yet to be determined.

Sore point: In a bizarre twist, the couple exchanged their lines for a huge veined testicle sculpture, precariously placed on a small pedestal

Here we go: Davies wore the main character Wickstead’s cap and cargo pants while observing an apparent crime scene

The show received generally critical acclaim after its initial release in October, with ratings of 5.24 million, including those who watched the show catch up.

While some critics praised the writing as “intriguing” and “cleverly done,” others dismissed it as “quaint” and slow.

It won Best New TV Sitcom in the British Comedy Guide’s Comedy.co.uk Awards 2021.