...and Steptoe & Son, too

The news comes days after the channel confirmed Rebus actor Ken Stott would be starring in a drama about Tony Hancock, following the success of a previous films about Kenneth Williams.

Now BBC4 is planning a trio of similar biographical films for next year, to run alongside the Hancock offering.

Peter Harness, who has written Channel 4's forthcoming series City Of Vice, is working on the 90-minute film Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me, which will examine his personal life seen through the eyes of seen through the eyes of his long-term partner Dennis Heymer. Casting has not yet been announced,

Fear of Fanny author Brian Fillis is working on Steptoe and Son, which will star Phil Davis as Brambell and Jason Isaacs as Corbett.

And talent show host Hughie Green is the subject of the third film, which will star Trevor Eve.

BBC controller of drama production John Yorke said that the genre was an important part of BBC4’s schedule.

He said: “BBC4 found there is a real appetite for biopics about the recent past and it suddenly became a really exciting area.

'It is just about getting the right subject matter. Comedians like Howerd have fairly colourful stories.’

‘We are looking at some of Britain's great performers, many of whom just weren't appreciated at the time. This is a chance to celebrate our comic heritage.’

Published: 27 Nov 2007