...adapted by the writer of Spice World

Writer Kim Fuller has been hired to produce a script for The Salmon of Doubt, and complete the story Adams was working on at the time of his death in 2001.

However, his lowbrow credits – which include Spice World, Badly Dubbed Porn and several series for S Club 7 – might make him appear an unlikely choice to take on the mantle of the much-loved humourist.

The new series it to be made by Above the Title, which has previously adapted Adams’s two other Dirk Gently novels for Radio 4 series, starring Harry Enfield in the title role.

Adam Bromley, the production company’s creative director said Fuller would do a ‘fair amount of original writing’ for the new six-part series.

He told actors’ newspaper The Stage: ‘Douglas did not leave a clear template as to how the novel ends. There are some hints and clues, but what we want to do is be faithful to the spirit of the Dirk Gently books and be faithful to the spirit of Douglas Adams’ unique sense of humour. But at the same time we have to deliver a funny and entertaining series that works for the audience, even if they are not familiar with Dirk Gently.’

Dirk Maggs, who wrote the scripts for the previous two outings, was not invited to work on this series as he left the production company last year to form his own rival firm.

Work on The Salmon of Doubt is set to begin later this year, for broadcast some time in 2010.

Published: 6 May 2009