Rowan Atkinson stands to make up to £4.5milllion if reports his production company Tiger Aspect is to be sold prove true.

Sports programme company TWI is said to be planning a £30million buy-out of the firm, whose programmes include The Catherine Tate Show, Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley.

The company was set up by agent Peter Bennett-Jones in 1986 with co-owners including Atkinson, who already has an estimated £55 million fortune,  and has enjoyed as successful history.

It was the company that spotted Bill Hicks at the Montreal Just For Laughs festival, and has made shows with Peter Cook, Harry Enfield and Eddie Izzard.

Last year, it released its first film, The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse, and is currently working on Lenny Henry’s planned new chat and entertainment show for BBC One.

Tiger Aspect has also made documentaries, including an acclaimed programme about the devastating aftermath of the Omagh bomb.

The sale would broaden TWI’s appeal and make it one of Britain's biggest independent television producers.