Back To You expected in 2008

The broadcaster is reported to have paid around £200,000 an episode for the show, which is Grammer’s first starring role since Frasier.

He plays a womanising newsreader reunited with an uptight co-host – played by Everybody Loves Raymond's Patricia Heaton - at a Pittsburgh TV station

Channel 4’s director of acquisitions Jeff Ford said: ‘We are thrilled to continue our commitment to the best of US comedy with the much sought after series Back To You.’

The series is created and written by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, who both worked on Frasier.

Steve Cornish, managing director of producers 20th Century Fox, said: ‘We have high expectations for Back To You and we are very pleased to be working with Channel 4 to create a success story.’

Back To You is likely to join Ugly Betty in Channel 4's Friday night comedy lineup from January, with a slot on E4 also likely.

The deal was struck at the LA Screenings, where Channel 4 previously brought the new comedy Big Bang Theory.

Here’s a preview clip of Back To You:

Published: 28 Jun 2007