Robert Webb show axed after row

A planned comedy starring Robert Webb has been cancelled following a row between the writer and ITV executives.

David Renwick accused ITV of meddling too much in his idea for a series about a young man living with his mother-in-law after the death of his father.

Renwick – who created One Foot In The Grave and Jonathan Creek – walked off the show, called Ergo, after he had written all six hour-long episodes.

And he complained that commissioners had become too ‘prescriptive’ in telling writers what they wanted, as ITV admitted they had ‘different views’ on what the show should be.

Renwick told trade magazine Broadcast: ‘There were interesting possibilities, but ITV came unstuck. They wanted to concentrate more on the old father and the back-story. I believe audiences relate to the characters they see on screen and I didn’t want too many flashback elements.’

He said that ‘called the bluff’ of ITV executives, saying he would be happy to sell them the script so someone else could take over. Instead director of television Peter Fincham decided to pull the series completely.

He added: ‘It was very frustrating…but I decided to move on.”’

Webb was lined up to play the son, and Sheridan Smith under consideration for the mother-in-law.

An ITV spokeswoman said: ‘ITV were keen to work with David Renwick on Ergo but when it became clear that we had different views on the direction of the series we agreed to part company.’

Published: 6 Mar 2013