David Schneider directing ITV2 sitcom

David Schneider, best known for his roles in The Day Today and Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, has directed a sitcom pilot for ITV2, according to trade publication The Stage. The new show, Up Close and Personal, is set in the offices of a celebrity magazine.

The pilot has already been made by TalkbackThames, the company behind Green Wing, The IT Crowd and QI, and it is believed that ITV2 will commission a full series, although it should be noted the green light hasn't yet been officially given. Up Close and Personal is written by Andy Rattenbury, whose other comedy projects include Absolute Power, Teachers and Hotel Babylon. It stars Rachel Cassidy, who plays Mel in Lead Balloon.

This sitcom pilot is one of many current comedy projects ITV is working on. Last month ITV2 announced its first original sitcom, No Heroics - a comedy about off-duty superheroes which is being made by Tiger Aspect. The controller of ITV2, Zai Bennett, has said that £10 million will be invested in new comedies for 2008.