Stephen heads BBC2's comedy line-up

Stephen Fry is to return to BBC2 in two new comedy shows this autumn.

He will host the new quiz show QI, as well as starring in the sitcom Absolute Power, which transfers from Radio 4.

John Bird and Fry star as a pair of spin doctors, handling the image of celebrities, blue-chip clients and political groups.

It has been created by media commentator Mark Lawson and Andy Rattenbury, writer of Channel 4's Teachers,

The show started life on Radio 4 in 2000, and now forms part of BBC2's autumn schedule, unveiled today.

As previously reported on Chortle, Fry also will present the panel game QI, asking fiendishly difficult questions of his guests. Points are given for interesting, rather than correct, answers.

Comics appearing over the series include Bill Bailey, Rich Hall, Jo Brand, Jimmy Carr, Jeremy Hardy, Dave Gorman, Sean Lock, and Rob Brydon.

Also in the new schedules are the TV version of Radio 4's Little Britain, created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams and already aired on BBC3; The Sack Race, in which contestants, followed by hidden cameras, try to get fired on their first day at work; and the return of The Kumars At Number 42.

Published: 30 Jul 2003