New comedy-drama for BBC Four

Alexander Armstrong is to star as computer genius Sir Clive Sinclair in a new comedy-drama set in the early days of the PC industry.

The Office’s Martin Freeman will star as Sinclair’s rival Chris Curry in the ‘affectionately comic’ BBC Four one-off, called Syntax Error.

Curry used to work for ZX-81 creator Sinclair, but formed his own company Acorn, which went on to make the BBC Micro computer.

BBC Four controller Richard Klein said: ‘Those of us who lived through the Eighties will remember the sense of excitement when gadgets and technology started to appear in our homes, but not many of us will know the fascinating stories behind their arrival.

‘Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman are excellent choices to portray Sir Clive Sinclair and Chris Curry at a time when battling to have the UK's most loved home computer was their number one priority.’

The 90-minute script was written by Tony Saint, whose previous work includes Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk To Finchley, and the programme will feature vintage clips from the likes of John Craven's Newsround.

Filming has just begun on the show, expected to air later this year.

Published: 30 Jun 2009