Writers invited to submit scripts

BBC One is set to make a series of comedy pilots, similar to Channel 4’s Comedy Showcases, in an attempt to find the next big sitcom.

Channel controller Danny Cohen said he does not get offered enough scripts for the mainstream audience.

He said: ‘Comedy in all its forms is incredibly important for BBC One but we don’t get enough great sitcom scripts coming through – so I’m delighted to be announcing this initiative today.

‘By committing to a group of TX [broadcastable] pilots, we hope to help unearth a new generation of national comic gem.’

The BBCs controller of comedy commissioning, Cheryl Taylor added: "'he BBC's commitment to laugh-out-loud comedy is as strong as ever and we hope that this dedicated pilot initiative will galvanise writers to think about more inventive, likeable and enduring characters for our mainstream channel.

'We are very proud to have shows like Mrs Brown's Boys, In With The Flynns and Outnumbered on BBC One, but there is certainly room for more.'

Cohen experimented with broadcast pilots during his time as head of BBC Three.

He added he was inviting writers to send in scripts by November, with the best being broadcast by the middle of next year. Details of how to enter scripts will be released soon.

Published: 28 Aug 2011