BBC snaps up Candid Camera-style show

BBC1 has ordered a new hidden camera show to fill a key Saturday-night slot.

Juste Pour Rire TV - the production arm of the company that stages the Montreal comedy festival - has been commissioned to make six ehalf-hour pisodes of Just For Laughs Gags.

The format is already a hit in Canada, and has been sold to 75 countries.

Shooting of the first British episodes starts on Monday, and will be screened later in the year at 6.30pm on Saturdays.

The BBC has the option for an additional ten shows should the first six prove a success.

Several comedians are involved in the short set-ups, which producers claim "take the familiar hidden camera genre to a whole new level".

BBC1 is keen to revamp its Saturday-night schedules and has previously taped a pilot magic and variety show, josted by Paul McKenna and featuring the likes of Paul Zerdin, Nina Conti and Men In Coats.

Published: 15 Jan 2003