Vegas to star in newspaper comedy

Johnny Vegas is to appear in a new ITV1 comedy alongside Dempsey and Makepeace star Michael Brandon.

Dead Man Weds is set in a local newspaper in rural Lancashire, and has been written by Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey

Vegas will play Lewis Donat, the lazy chief reporter on the Fogborrow Advertiser.

But he is shaken into action when his editor, played by Spikey, forces him to investigate a factory suspected of conducting potentially dangerous genetic experiments.

Brandon, who was recently seen in the West End production of Jerry Springer: The Opera, will play the factory boss, Chuck.

The six-part comedy also stars Keith Barron as the local mayor and owner of the newspaper.

It is being made by Red, the independent production company behind Queer As Folk. Production has just started in Manchester, the Guardian reports.

Published: 23 Sep 2004