C4 orders full series

Channel 4 has dropped its sitcom pilot Pete v Life from its Comedy Showcase line up – and ordered a full series instead.

The sitcom stars Rafe Spall as a journalist whose every move is observed by sports commentator will now run as a five-part series in May, where it will run alongside The IT Crowd, Peep Show and Fonejacker 3D.

Channel 4’s new head of comedy Shane Allen told TV trade magazine Broadcast: ‘An extra slot opened up and Pete v Life fitted the bill. It’s a well-defined concept and, like Peep Show, its central device helps layer in extra jokes and keep it pacey.’

The series is written by Star Stories’ Bert Tyler-Moore and George Jeffries, and will be made by Objective Productions.

It is the second Comedy Showcase pilot to be picked up for a full series, after E4 committed to a six-part run for PhoneShop last week.

Channel 4 has also announced that it is axing the Plus One – the sitcom about a man whose girlfriend dumped him to marry Duncan James from boy band Blue – after just one series. The show also started life as a Comedy Showcase.

Published: 19 Nov 2009