...in new BBC comedy

Johnny Vegas is to star as a small-time drugs dealer in a new BBC3 comedy.

His character, Moz, has been dealing dope for 20 years from his Manchester bedsit and sees himself as providing a crucial service to the community.

The show, I Deal, is the first commission from BBC Manchester's new comedy department, and will be a co-production with Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's production company Baby Cow.

Executive producer Kenton Allen said: "I can't think of a better way to kick start our production in the North West than with a show starring Johnny Vegas made in collaboration with Steve Coogan."

Johnny Vegas said: "When they said I was playing a dealer, I thought it was a Lovejoy type show for the new generation, and that 'dope' was hip hop for 'lovely Elizabethan table'.

"Henry Normal put my head in a bucket of water, whilst Steve Coogan forced me to sign the contract. I'm a victim... but still proud to spearhead any comedy development based in the North!"

Other characters in I Deal include Kuldip, an Asian DJ, and 'PC', a police constable who is also Moz's chief supplier as well as customers who include: a man who always wears a children's mask and is known as Cartoon Head; Jane, the childminder from hell; and Brian, a camp scally who seems to have a different boyfriend every time he visits.

I Deal's eight half-hour episodes have been written by Graham Duff and Tony Burgess, the stand-up recently named as BBC Manchester's comedy writer in residence.

It will be screened on BBC3 later this year, with a later repeat on BBC2

Published: 15 Apr 2004