The creator of My Family has filed a lawsuit that could prevent the sitcom being exported to the States.

Fred Barron has taken action against producers DLT Entertainment, which had been exploring the possibility of making a US version of the hit BBC1 show.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the two sides had decided that they should "mutually agree upon a strategy... to develop, market and produce a US version of the series".

But the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, claims DLT has unilaterally tried to market the format without Barron's knowledge.