BBC developing panel show format for Miranda Hart
The BBC is developing a new comedy format for Miranda Hart. A pilot of Britain's Favourite, a new TV panel show idea labelled as "unashamedly affectionate and upbeat", will be recorded later in February at BBC Television Centre.
The programme is described by the creators as "a tongue-in-cheek panel show about people who share the same name. It's like Top Trumps with celebrities."
Miranda Hart will act as host of the show, while a panel of comedians play a series of games based on famous people who have nothing in common but their first name. For example, in the pilot, everything will revolve around the name 'Steve'..."Is Stephen Hawking better than Steve Davis? Is Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin superior to Steven Seagal? What about England captain Steven Gerrard? Is Shakin' Stevens even a Steve?"
Producers say: "There'll be plenty of silliness: a battle to do the best impression of Steve McFadden, a challenge to find the best Steve in the audience, a list of people who didn't make the shortlist, such as Seve Ballesteros (out by just one letter) and a chance to see all the best bits from Steve Guttenberg's career (a 15 second montage)."
Miranda Hart was the big winner at The British Comedy Awards this January, where she took home the Best New TV Comedy trophy for her hit sitcom; Best TV Comedy Actress and also the Peoples' Choice Award. She will soon be providing narration for Don't Scare The Hare, a new Saturday night entertainment series featuring a 4ft fully animatronic robot hare; and pre-production work will begin on the third series of her hit sitcom, which is rumoured to be moving to a prime-time slot on BBC One.
To be in the audience for the pilot of Britain's Favourite see our free tickets page