Denise Welch, Sophia Di Martino and Lucia Keskin have joined the cast of Josh Pugh’s new Channel 4 comedy Stepping Up.

Chortle revealed last week that filming had started on the six-part comedy series in which the comedian stars as an over-enthusiastic stepdad.

 Coronation Street and Loose Women star  Welch plays Sue, Josh’s mum; Loki and Flowers star Di Martino plays Becky, Josh’s partner; and Things You Should Have Done’s Lucia plays  Kelcie, Josh’s best friend.

Also joining the cast is Brassic’s Tom Hanson  as Sean, Becky’s ex-husband, comic-turned-actorJeff Mirza as curry house owner Dev.

Pugh, who also wrote the show, said: 'It's such a brilliant and surreal experience to have started filming. 

‘The cast is incredible and it's hard not to feel guilty for dragging Denise Welch and a member of the Marvel cinematic universe to an Indian restaurant in North Warwickshire. There are also some exciting new Midlands faces that we've managed to find, it all feels magic.’

Charlie Perkins, head of comedy at Channel 4, added : ‘We’re thrilled to have started filming on Stepping Up in Josh’s hometown and getting to see his brilliant writing come to life with a mighty comedy ensemble. We can’t wait for audiences to see the show.’

The comedy also features emerging talent including Artie Dobson  as Nathan, Becky and Sean’s son; Oscar Hewitt-Richards plays Nathan’s best friend, Lloyd; and Eadie Johnson as Izzie, Nathan’s younger sister. 

The show is made by Big Boys production house Roughcut TV, where series producer Ben Worsfield said: ‘Everyone at Roughcut is very proud to be shooting in Josh's hometown and his brilliantly funny scripts have attracted an amazing cast. We couldn't be more thrilled with how the shoot's going, and can't wait for Stepping Up to hit screens.’

Written by and starring: Josh Pugh
Produced by: Roughcut Television
Directed by: Jack Clough 
Commissioned for Channel 4 by: Charlie Perkins, head of comedy, Andy Brereton, senior commissioning editor and Joe Hullait, commissioning executive,
Executive producer: Ash Atalla, Alex Smith and Steve Monger
Series producer: Ben Worsfield