New sitcom on Royal bodyguards

David Jason is to star in a new BBC One sitcom – his first for the channel since Only Fools And Horses.

He will start production on The Royal Bodyguard in July, playing the central character Captain Guy Hubble

Hubble is a ‘walking disaster’ of a soldier, who mistakenly promoted to head of Royal security, despite his only qualifications being a former job in the car park at Buckingham Palace.

The series of six half-hour episodes has been written by Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni, who previously created the farcical series The Worst Week of My Life.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen suggested Jason after reading the script.

He said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to welcome David Jason back to a leading comedy role on BBC One. David is a hugely talented performer and much loved by British viewers. When I read the script I knew he would be perfect for this role.’

The series is to be made by Hat Trick Productions, whose boss Jimmy Mulville said: ‘When Danny Cohen suggested David Jason for the starring role, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.’

Jason added: ‘I am really looking forward to working with the very talented producer Jimmy Mulville, and working on a great comedy project with the BBC. It will be good to have a laugh again.’

Since the last series of Only Fools ended 20 years ago, Jason has been best known for playing Inspector Jack Frost in ITV’s A Touch of Frost

Published: 13 Apr 2011