Exec produced by Harry Hill

ITV has commissioned a full series of sports comedy show You Cannot Be Serious, to be fronted by Alistair McGowan.

Harry Hill will be executive producer on the six-part series, to be made by Avalon Television. His role comes despite reports that he had fallen out with the company over its desire to make more episodes of TV Burp, which he found too exhausting.

You Cannot Be Serious, which will air in the summer, has plenty in common with TV Burp, as it will feature funny clips from the week’s sport, as well as sketches and impressions from McGowan.

ITV commissioned the series following a successful pilot last year.

McGowan said: 'The pilot was great fun to do and the idea of applying a healthy mix of irreverence, love and imagination to the world of sport seemed obvious to me and I can’t wait to get started on the series.'

Hill and McGowan have a longstanding working relationship, dating from early Edinburgh shows and their joint Radio 4 show When Harry Met Ally in 1992. Hill said: ‘He’s the best impressionist in the country and it’s great he’s coming to ITV.’

Published: 9 Feb 2012