R4 commissions a sitcom from Croft & Pearce

Comedy double act Croft & Pearce are to have their own series on Radio 4.

The BBC has commissioned a four-part sitcom, June & Jean, developed from characters the double act created for their live shows.

The series will follow two middle-aged women who find modern life in the Home Counties a strain, be it the stress of their rhubarb chutney not setting in time for the craft fair, the prospect of an influx of migrant workers, or the pressure of shopping at John Lewis.

Hannah Croft and Fiona Pearce are writing the show, but older actors will be cast in the roles.

They said in a statement: ‘We are over the moon – it’s a dream come true to have our own series on Radio 4. We’re sure June and Jean would be beside themselves with anxiety about it all.’

The pair are Oxford graduates who also trained as actors at London drama schools. Their previous credits include writing episodes for the CBeebies comedy animation, Numtums, and appearing in Radio 4’s sketch comedy showcase, Sketchorama.

June and Jean also feature in the duo’s Edinburgh Fringe show, Give And Take, which starts at the Gilded Balloon this week.

The series will be produced by CPL Productions, and no transmission time has yet been confirmed.

Published: 28 Jul 2014