BBC Three launches new comedies

The channel is also launching its first broadband-only comedy, handing over its website to sketch group The Cowards.

The four-man team will build their own comedy world which includes exclusive sketches ‘on the edge of absurdity.’

The new TV shows are:

• Gavin And Stacy, co-written by starring Ruth Jones, who plays pub landlady Myfanwy in Little Britain, the about a romance between a Cardiff girl and an Essex boy who meet after a series of flirtatious work calls. Catherine Tate co-star Mathew Horne plays Gavin, while Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon also make appearances.

• Thieves Like Us, written by Danny King and based on his novel The Burglar Diaries, is a comedy about a couple of petty criminals and their girlfriends.

• Smalltime, starring Early Doors’ John Henshaw and Phoenix Nights’ Steve Edge also revolves around crime, beingabout two inmates in a low-security prison and the family and fiends who visit them each week.

• Touch Me, I'm Karen Taylor - a full series following an earlier pilot in which the comic, pictured, – who starred in ITV’s The Sketch Show - mixes sketches, stand-up, monologues and running jokes.

• Rush Hour is a comedy sketch show focussing on the daily scrum that is morning rush hour.

• Comedy Shuffle With Rob Rouse is a talent showcase, compered by comedian Rob Rouse, featuring a host of comic performers, writers, animators and mischief-makers.

As well as the new programmes, Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, Ideal starring Johnny Vegas and Ash Atalla's sketch show Man Stroke Woman all return to the channel.

Channel controller Julian Bellamy said: ‘BBC Three’s winter/spring season gets off to a cracking start with a fantastic range of new comedy, factual and entertainment shows, all with BBC Three values at their heart – maverick, innovative, thought-provoking and bursting with new and emerging talent.

‘Comedy is at the heart of the season with no less than six brand-new comedy series being launched and premièred via the website. All the programmes showcase new, diverse British talent - from Ruth Jones to Matthew Horne, from Karen Taylor to Steve Edge.

‘It’s also great to welcome back Ash Atalla’s sketch show, Man Stroke Woman, with its fantastic cast, and Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive. ‘

Published: 14 Dec 2006