...based on her own life

Sue Perkins is to write and star in her first sitcom – a semi-autobiographical account about coming out.

BBC Two has ordered six half-hour episodes of Heading Out, which is about a middle-aged vet afraid to reveal her sexuality to her parents.

The cast includes Dawn French, Jo Scanlon, Nicola Walker and Dominic Coleman.

Perkins did not initially want to star in the show, telling trade magazine Broadcast last year: ‘I hadn’t intended to be in it but I kept being told “that’s you” – which wasn’t what I wanted to hear as I saw it as an annoying, cretinous character.’

But she said today: 'I think once the gnawing terror, sleepless nights and relentless self-doubt has subsided, this might well be the thing that I’m most proud of. It’s been a joy to work on, and I hope that joy proves to be infectious.'

Heading Out starts production in September and is due to be broadcast next year on BBC Two.

Executive producer Nicola Shindler said: 'Having known Sue for a number of years, I am familiar with her superb writing ability and natural comedic timing and I have always wanted us to work together.

'In Heading Out she has written a fantastically original, smart and witty script with engaging characters and pithy dialogue so I am eager for us to get cracking on such an exciting project.'

Although she began her career as a comic, Perkins has recently concentrated on reality shows such as The Great British Bake Off, Maestro and The Supersizers with Giles Coren.

She had kept her sexuality under wraps until 2002, when she was outed by ex-girlfriend Rhona Cameron on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Published: 23 Aug 2012