With Russ Abbott, June Whitfield and more..

BBC One has picked up the comedy series Grey Mates, about a trio of pensioner couples, for a full six-part series.

The show features a star-studded cast of veteran actors: Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Philip Jackson, James Smith, Alison Steadman, June Whitfield and Paula Wilcox.

It has been created by Citizen Khan writer Richard Pinto, and follows a successful pilot earlier this year.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore said: 'Comedy has a unique ability to make the ordinary extraordinary and Grey Mates delivers that with a big hit of character.

'The series follows three newly retired couples who re-discover what it means to have time on their hands, hilariously brought to life by a stellar cast whose relationships are tested in a multitude of ways.'

BBC comedy chief Shane Allen added: 'This is a very modern, affectionate and brutally honest single camera take on a stage of life often stereotyped and outmoded in sitcomworld.'

The show, made by Hat Trick, is due to go into production in the spring, for transmission later in the year.

Published: 2 Dec 2013