Wax stars in Vatican sitcom

Ruby Wax is to play the Pope in a new animated sitcom set in the Vatican.

She is just one of a host of comedy names taking part in the ten-part BBC3 sitcom Popetown.

Big Train's Kevin Eldon plays the long-suffering Father Nicholas at the centre of the action, while Jerry Hall and Mowenna Banks play nuns.

The cast also includes Matt Lucas - best known as George Dawes in Shooting Stars and Mackenzie Crook, who plays Gareth in The Office.

Office politics are also the theme of Popetown, although the company is the Vatican, where the boss is an infuriatingly childish 77-year-old whose every fickle whim must be indulged.

Crook will also act as script editor, and other writers include creators Isabelle Dubernet and Eric Furher, David Quantick and double act James Bachman and Mark Evans.

Ruby Wax, right, said: "At last I am the Pope which is only right and good."

Stuart Murphy, controller of BBC3, said: "I hope Ruby Wax, being Jewish and female, may bring something to the role of The Pope which the Catholic Church may have so far overlooked."

"BBC3 needs to be all about taking risks and Popetown is a risk which we hope the target demographic will appreciate.

BBC3 launches on February 9, replacing BBC Choice.

Published: 22 Nov 2002