...as BBC couldn't get Miranda to take Frankie Howerd role

The BBC has dropped a planned remake of Up Pompeii after failing to secure Miranda Hart to take the lead role, it has been reported.

According to The Sun, the comedian had been earmarked to star as Lurcio, originally played by Frankie Howerd.

Up Pompeii was originally named was one of the shows the BBC was revisiting as part of its Landmark Sitcom series, alongside the likes of Porridge and Are You Being Served?

But when the final line-up was confirmed the show was missing. Earlier this month, a BBC spokesman told Chortle: 'It hasn't been dropped but just won't be part of the sitcom season.'

However, after today's news, the axe seems more permanent, even though the BBC insisted The Sun story was inaccurate.

A corporation spokesman said: 'Earlier in the year a number of scripts were developed and considered for the BBC One revivals as part of Sitcom Season, including Up Pompeii. Unfortunately, the desired cast weren’t all available to film in time for the season. We wouldn’t rule out revisiting it in the future.'

The Sun quotes an unnamed source saying: '"Other actresses were looked at but she  [Miranda] was the No1 target. After much consideration, bosses felt it wasn’t right to commission the remake without its preferred cast on board.'

Today's news comes after Hart last week confirmed she would not be returning to the role of Chummy in the next series of Call The Midwife. 
 
 

Published: 23 Aug 2016