Sitcom set in record label

The six-part sitcom, Massive, will revolve around a stable of acts signed up to the fictional Shady Records.

Royle Family star Ralf Little and Carl Rice, who appears in the current BBC Three sketch show Scallywagga, play the founders of the label. Vegas plays the father of Little’s character.

The cast also includes Dennis Pennis star Paul Kaye and Lenny Beige creator Steve Furst. Filming has begun in Manchester, and the series, which is written by Damian Lanigan, is due to be broadcast on BBC Three this autumn.

‘They pluck a girl band from the obscurity of Superb'uns cake shop, get sued by Eminem, get lost in the Pennines - where they find the new Oasis - and get involved in a scam involving a Macedonian prostitute called Zora who has a revolutionary way of making shish kebabs,’ said the BBC.

Executive producer Kenton Allen said: ‘Massive combines Ralf Little and Johnny Vegas with a terrific supporting cast and Damian Lanigan's vivid scripts about rock 'n' roll lifestyles on a Primark budget. It's shaping up to be a unique comedy treat.’

Published: 14 May 2008