Christmas show for Channel 4

Peter Kay is planning a follow-up to his Pop Idol spoof.

He is making a 60-minute background show – similar to spin-offs such as The Xtra Factor – which will be called Britain's Got An Extra Pop Factor And Then Some.

Presented by Ben Shepherd, the programme will feature a countdown of performances from the fictional series, and more interviews with Kay’s character Geraldine McQueen.

The show, which will go out over the festive period, will also help promote Kay’s bid for a Christmas No 1 with the track Once Upon A Christmas Song.

It will air as part of a mini-season of programmes devoted to Kay, including a repeat of the original programme, Britain's Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice. When it first aired last month, the 75-minute show attracted Channel 4’s biggest audience of the year, 6.1m viewers,

The documentary Peter Kay: Raider of the Pop Charts, about his pop videos will also be show as part of the run.

Channel 4 has also confirmed two new comedy series this winter, both picked up from Comedy Showcase pilots last year in 2007. Free Agents, stars Stephen Mangan and Sharon Horgan as showbiz agents failing miserably to fall in love, while Plus One follows tragic bachelor Rob Black as he attempts to restore his pride after his girlfriend leaves him to marry Duncan from Blue.

Published: 12 Nov 2008