ITV to make Jilly Cooper comedies

ITV has commissioned four comedy dramas based on Jilly Cooper's romantic fiction novels. The popular but often laughed at author's books are being adapted by Touchpaper Television for broadcast on ITV1.

The first comedy will be based around Cooper's 1970s set Octavia. The books blurb suggests that it will prove ripe comedy pickings: "As soon as Octavia caught a glimpse of Jeremy in the nightclub, she knew she just had to have him. It didn't matter that he'd just got engaged to an old school friend of hers, plump, good natured Gussie; he was looking at Octavia in the way that suggested bed rather than breakfast, and she was weak at the knees...". The novel is being adapted by Gimme, Gimme, Gimme writer Jonathan Harvey.

Executive producer Rob Pursey told MediaGuardian: "From the first time we met with Jilly Cooper, it was clear that this project would be a huge amount of fun. With Jonathan Harvey adapting the novel it will celebrate the mischief, comedy and romance of the original story."

Paul Jackson, the ITV director of entertainment and comedy, added: "This iconic series of Jilly Cooper books wonderfully reflects the 70s era. Octavia and future adaptations will provide fabulous, fun roles for some of the most exciting, fresh young actresses in the UK."