New sitcom from stand-up Warburton

A new pub-based sitcom, written by Stand-up John Warburton, is to be piloted for BBC Three.

The show, The Inn Mates, is the first commission to come out of the BBC’s Comedy College, which was set up in spring 2008 to foster new writing.

Warburton’s show is set in the pub, The King’s Ransom, where the ensemble cast regularly gather for Sunday lunch. The characters include a son ‘trying to forge a relationship with his sperm donor dad’, a young woman in search of true love, and a very unhappy married couple.

Micheál Jacob, creative director of the Comedy College, said: ‘This is great news, both for the college, and particularly for John, whose writing is funny, warm and very much the product of a unique voice.’

Warburton added: ‘I am incredibly chuffed the BBC have decided to pilot this. Over the last 20 years I have spent a great deal of time drinking in pubs in the name of research and this means I can now claim the whole lot back against tax.

‘The College of Comedy is a superlative scheme, it has been invaluable to me as a writer in terms of learning and support.’

The pilot episode will be made by BBC Comedy North in Manchester.

Published: 18 Nov 2009