New series for ITV

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are to present an ITV daytime chat show – 15 years after their Channel 4 chat show was cancelled.

Thirty episodes of the hour-long show, which has not yet been titled, have been ordered.

The pair – who are currently more popular than ever thanks to the Great British Bake-Off – previously hosted Light Lunch (later called Late Lunch) for Channel 4 from 1997 to 1998.

Helen Warner, ITV’s director of daytime, said: ‘I've been a big Mel and Sue fan for years and I'm thrilled their new show will be part of the ITV daytime schedule. Both are brilliant broadcasters and comedians and bring a unique warmth and charisma as presenters.'

Giedroyc joked: ‘I've been asked to host a show with somebody called Porkin? Parkin? Portly? I've never heard of her - but I'll be very happy to meet her soon.’

Perkins added: ‘I very much look forward to working with Mel again, although, for legal reasons, we will now be at least one metre apart at all times.’

The new ITV show will be made by Princess Productions, which also made Light Lunch.

Mel and Sue began their careers in comedy at Cambridge University's Footlights club, but by 2006 effectively split up, only to be reunited for the bakery show.

Published: 15 Aug 2014