Model turned comedian Michelle De Swarte is to star in a new BBC sitcom, which she also wrote.

Spent is about a former catwalk model refusing to face up to the reality that her career is over, she’s flat broke and she’s homeless.

De Swarte says: ‘To have my first commission as a writer for the BBC seems like some sort of fever dream.

‘The shows I watched growing up are like landmarks in my memory, so to be able to Share a space with those shows in someone else's mind is more than I ever thought possible!’

The six half-hour episodes are being made by VAL-TV, and executive producer Jack Bayles adds: ‘Michelle has a truly unique world view and has brilliantly captured the moment with Spent.

‘This is a head-on collision between the high life and real life. It’s a glorious mess and we can’t wait to Share it.’

The description for the show – which will air on BBC Two and iPlayer says that De Swarte’s central character Mia ‘has become accustomed, possibly even addicted, to the finer things in life. Unfortunately, those lifestyle choices don’t carry much currency when you’re pushing 40 and permanently sofa surfing. She may have a highfalutin’ attitude and a world-class skincare regime but Mia’s now living on the breadline.’

Spent was commissioned by Jon Petrie, director of BBC Comedy, who announced the series alongside nine other new and returning shows and a raft of short films, at the BBC’s Festival of Comedy that kicked off in Cardiff today.